MONTH IN REVIEW
GO ONLINE
www.hotelowner.co.uk
SAFETY CONCERN
Tripadvisor
to mark hotels
where sexual
assaults have
been reported
Tripadvisor has added a badge to
let customers know which hotels
and resorts have had reports of
sexual assaults.
This is a temporary measure,
following a backlash the company
received when it was accused of
repeatedly removing a review in
which a woman stated she was raped
at a hotel.
The badges will remain on the site
for three months but will be kept
up if “issues persist”. The badge
does not detail exactly what has
happened at the accommodation,
but encourages users to research
before making a booking.
On 1 November, the company
issued a public apology to Kristie
Love, 35, who said she had been
raped by a security guard at the
Paraiso Maya resort in Mexico.
Tripadvisor said the review went
against its policy of permitted
reviews which used “family
friendly” language.
Love has insisted she was not
apologised to personally.
Another guest at the same resort
also claimed she “gave up” trying to
post a review about a sexual assault
there as Tripadvisor said her review
contained information which wasn’t
firsthand.
An employee committee will
decide whether a property has its
badge added or removed and listings
will not be taken down from the site
regardless of complaints they may
receive.
Spokesman Kevin Carter, said: “We
want consumers to see good and bad
reviews of businesses.”
December 2017
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STATISTICS APPOINTMENTS
STR’s preliminary October 2017
data for hotels in London, England,
indicates a year-over-year decline
in occupancy levels, but growth in
average daily rate (ADR).
Based on daily data from October,
occupancy in London fell to 83.4%,
which was a drop of 1.9% when
compared to the same period last year.
ADR rose to £152.27, which was an
uptick of 2.3%.
These results mark the lowest
October occupanc y level in London
since 2006, but the second-highest
ADR for any October since 1994.
Because demand grew year over
year, STR analysts attribute the
decline in occupancy to the significant
increase in supply.
The demand for hotels in London
grew by 2% whereas supply
outweighed that with a 4% increase.
Revenue per available room
(RevPAR) increased to £126.96, which
was up by 0.4%.
Absolute performance levels were
especially strong during Helitech
International helicopter expo &
conference (3-5 October). Occupancy
was 94.8% and 96.3% during the first
two nights, while ADR was £182.38
and £185.28, respectively. Simon Cotton has been appointed to
the position of group managing director
for HRH Group, the Harrogate and York
based hospitality group.
As a former local hotelier, Cotton has
30 years experience in the industry
with 20 of those based in Yorkshire.
Overseeing all aspects of the hotels,
restaurants, inns and pubs, Cotton
will be responsible for both day to day
operations and the strategic direction
of HRH Group, including The White
Hart Hotel & Apartments located in
Harrogate and Yorks three-AA rosette
restaurant The Park by Adam Jackson.
For the last thirteen years Cotton
has been at the forefront of the Best
Western Plus Cedar Court Hotel,
Harrogate, where he recently celebrated
his fourth most successful year in terms
of turnover and profitability, including
beating pre-recessionary times.
HRH Group, founded in 2012, focuses
on ‘delivering northern hospitality’ with
a strong focus on Rosette quality food
and beverage, and charming hotel and
inn bedrooms in historic and beautiful
locations.
Cotton will report directly to group
owner and local entrepreneur, Philip
Barker.
Cotton said: “I’m delighted to
join HRH Group at an exciting time
for the group. I’m committed to
leading a strong and positive team
into a fantastic future, with so many
opportunities coming up, I have a great
chance to really raise the profile of
one of the most upcoming northern
hospitality groups.”
London hotels
report lowest
October
occupancy levels
since 2006
HRH Group
appoints new
managing
director
www.hotelowner.co.uk
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