Hotel groups react to Which? Travel investigation into hidden online VAT fees

By Peter Ruddick

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Hotel chains

A Which? Travel investigation claimed a number of hotel groups were not including VAT in their headline fees for online booking including Accor for the St Ermin's Hotel in London
A Which? Travel investigation claimed a number of hotel groups were not including VAT in their headline fees for online booking including Accor for the St Ermin's Hotel in London
Hotel groups have said they are committed to transparency when it comes to VAT fees on online booking websites as a Which? Travel investigation claims 'nearly half' of the major chains in the UK are breaching Government guidelines and advertising standards.

The report by the consumer campaigning organisation alleged 11 out of 24 hotel chains did not initially display VAT in the headline price of the cost of staying in their venues.

The investigation came about after the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) upheld a complaint against InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) in May for the UK-based group's use of VAT-exclusive prices in online adverts for its Crowne Plaza hotels.

Accor

The Which? Travel report accused brands including Doubletree by Hilton, Marriott, Holiday Inn and Accor's Mercure and Sofitel of displaying an initial price in the booking process that did not include VAT - an action that is thought to be in breach of trading standards and ASA guidelines.

However Thomas Dubaere, managing director of Accor UK & Ireland, said the global operator was committed to offering 'transparent pricing'.  

"The majority of our 185 hotels, including all our Mercure hotels, display VAT inclusive prices throughout the entire booking process. There are currently four hotels that show VAT on the second page and by September 17, VAT inclusive prices will be displayed throughout the entire booking process."

ASA

When the ASA upheld a complaint against IHG earlier this year the authority said the operator had indicated a willingness to display VAT-inclusive prices and direct its franchisees to do the same.

However IHG had said it faced technical challenges in doing so and would only make the change if other hotel groups were also compelled to do the same.

In its report, Which? Travel cited Martin Couchman, deputy chief executive of the British Hospitality Association (BHA), who told the organisation many hotel chains were already planning to change practices as a result of the ASA action. 

Hilton Worldwide is thought to be among operators planning on making the change to its UK websites with the ASA expecting the advertising to be changed by hotel chains by the end of next month.

Related news

Show more

Follow us

Hospitality Guides

View more

Generation Next