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REGULATION
CMA calls on
travel industry
to give ‘clearer
Ts and Cs’
The Competition and Markets Authority
(CMA) has launched a new campaign
calling on holiday and travel businesses
to improve the clarity of its terms and
conditions.
The ‘Small Print, Big Difference’
campaign is being run in partnership
with the lead associations representing
the holiday and travel industry, including
ABTA – The Travel Association,
UKHospitality and the Specialist Travel
Association (AITO) amongst others.
According to the CMA, as
holidaymakers get ready to “make
the most of the Easter break,’’ the
campaign will “check in” on businesses
and “make sure they are using
fair terms and conditions” in their
customer contracts. It also encourages
businesses to be upfront and clear
with their customers about charges
and fees, especially in the event of a
customer cancellation.
People in the UK spent an estimated
£81bn on holidays at home and abroad
in the 12 months to April 2018. However,
some holidaymakers may have to
cancel their plans due to changes in
circumstances such as an illness or
death in the family.
Under consumer law, businesses may
be entitled to ask customers to pay a
cancellation fee to cover their losses,
but the amount they keep must be
in proportion to what they are losing.
Cancellation terms that don’t follow this
approach are likely to be “unfair” and
businesses can’t rely on them to resolve
claims or disputes with customers.
Paul Latham, the CMA’s director of
strategy and communications, said:
“Nobody wants to cancel a trip or
holiday, but if you have to, it’s important
that you are treated fairly and don’t lose
out more than is absolutely necessary.”
May 2019
1
HOTEL CONSORTIUMS
Preferred Hotels
and Resorts
adds 25 hotels to
portfolio
Independent hotel brand Preferred
Hotels and Resorts has added 25 new
member hotels, including one UK
property, to its global portfolio.
According to the brand, from “iconic
heritage” buildings in Sydney and
London to “contemporary” beachfront
luxury in New Jersey, the new
properties deliver “authentic, one-of-a-
kind experiences”.
The acquisitions include the 359-room
Sea Containers London hotel, located
on the south bank of the River Thames,
close to the Tate Modern, Royal Festival
Hall, and the London Eye.
A statement from the Preferred Hotels
and Resorts read: “Guestrooms are
outfitted with retro-futuristic furniture
and custom amenities from award-
winning British designer Tom Dixon.
“Sea Containers London offers
three ‘drink, dine, and dance’ options
including Lyaness - an exciting new bar
concept created by world-renowned
bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana, a
deluxe spa, and its very own intimate
56-seat cinema.”
TOP 3
FROM THE WEBSITE
1. B
ricks Capital
appoints new
board member
to drive hotel
expansion
2. 180-room
Milton Keynes
Premier Inn to
be built
3. Crowne
Plaza London
Kensington
sold for £83m
2
3
4
5
6
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We are delighted to
welcome the Stanwell
Hotel and its team to the
Splendid family
Stuart Bailey, CEO ,
Splendid Hospitality Group,
ACQUISITIONS
Splendid
Hospitality Group
acquires The
Stanwell Hotel
Heathrow
Splendid Hospitality Group has
acquired The Stanwell Hotel located in
Stanwell in Staines.
The 53-bedroom property is a five-
minute drive from Heathrow Airport
with quick access to the M3/M4 and
M25. Set in landscaped gardens and
offering 60 sq m of function room
space, the hotel is positioned for leisure
and corporate visitors who require
proximity to the airport.
The hotel also features the ‘Garden
Room’, ideal for wedding receptions,
a fitness studio for hotel guests and
a restaurant.
The addition of The Stanwell Hotel
will bring Splendid Hospitality’s
portfolio of hotels to 20 properties
located across the UK. It is the group’s
second property in the Heathrow
Airport area joining the Ibis Styles
London Heathrow Airport East, due to
open later this year.
Vice chairman Nadeem Boghani, said:
“The Stanwell Hotel is a great strategic
addition to the Splendid portfolio, and
we are considering appropriate brand
options for this hotel.”
www.hotelowner.co.uk
11