Hotel Online  Special Report
.

advertisement


..
Hotels Charging Fees and Surcharges for Just About Anything; 
PwC Forecasting 7% Increase for U.S. Lodging Industry in 2006
.
NEW YORK, March 20, 2006- PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) forecasts that the U.S. lodging industry will generate $1.6 billion in fees and surcharges in 2006, a 7 percent increase over the $1.4 billion generated in 2005. 
  
PwC forecasts that about half of the increase will result from a 3.1 percent increase in occupied rooms in 2006. The remaining percentage of the increase will result from the increase in the number of hotels charging fees and surcharges, the increasing range of fees and surcharges and the increased amounts charged. This will be the lowest rate of increase since 2002, indicating that the number of hotels charging fees and surcharges and the amounts charged is stabilizing. 
  
The following is a list of fees and surcharges anticipated for 2006: 
  • Mini-bar restocking charges 
  • In-room safe surcharges 
  • Room set / re-set charges 
  • Yield management used for meeting rooms 
  • Energy surcharges 
  • Bartender charges ($125 + fee, gratuity & tax) 
  • Baggage holding fees 
  • Meet / eat fees 
  • Cancellation fees 
  • Early departure  and arrival charges ($50) 
  • Master folio billing fees ($50-$1000+) 
  • Internet surcharges ($9.95/day) 
  • Telephone call surcharges 
  • Increased fax charges ($1-$5/pg) 
  • Handling charges for overnight packages 
  • Room service delivery fee ($2.50 + 15-17.5% gratuity) 
  • Automatic gratuities / surcharges for housekeepers, bellmen and doormen 
  • Resort amenities fees 
  • Group charges: earlier room block guarantee date requirements 
"The U.S. lodging industry has invested record amounts in facility and service enhancements and realizes that many travelers and travel influencers are very rate sensitive," said Bjorn Hanson, Ph.D. and partner in PricewaterhouseCoopers Hospitality and Leisure practice. "Fees and surcharges are not included in the room rate and therefore are exempt from occupancy taxes,� he adds. 
  
About PricewaterhouseCoopers 
  PricewaterhouseCoopers (www.pwc.com) provides industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for its clients and their stakeholders.  More than 130,000 people in 148 countries work collaboratively using connected thinking to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice. �PricewaterhouseCoopers� refers to the network of member firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity. 
.
Contact:

PricewaterhouseCoopers
www.pwc.com

.
Also See: Wyndham Agrees to a Nationwide Settlement of Class Action Lawsuit; $15 off Future Night's Stay for all Consumers Charged an Energy Surcharge / May 2002
Class Action Suit Initiated on Behalf Guests Who Were Improperly Assessed Resort Fees at Starwood Hotels / April 2004

.


To search Hotel Online data base of News and Trends Go to Hotel.Online Search

Home | Welcome! | Hospitality News | Classifieds | Catalogs & Pricing | Viewpoint Forum | Ideas/Trends
Please contact Hotel.Online with your comments and suggestions.