Setting the Record Straight on Mandatory Resort Fees
The hotel industry prides itself on offering an array of amenities and services to ensure guests have what they want and need from their travel experience. Transparency and guest satisfaction are at the core of the industry's business model. Making sure guests have all the necessary information prior to booking their room is paramount.
That's why the hotel industry provides guests full disclosure for mandatory resort fees charged up front. Mandatory resort fees were created in an effort to provide consumers with the best value by grouping amenity fees into one cost. This practice aligns with guidance introduced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2012.
- The hotel industry advocates for the same level of transparency on fees and service charges to be provided by all market players who book rooms in the lodging marketplace. It's best for the consumer and it's best for the industry.
- Yet, only half of all online travel consumers (50%) are aware that online travel agencies (OTAs) charge additional fees to consumers and 66% say online travel agencies should NOT receive a fee from consumers when they learn OTAs also receive a commission from hotels.
- To make matters worse, the OTA's do not always pay all of their taxes, depriving communities of much needed revenue
- Are online travel agencies nickel and diming consumers, hotels, the government and the communities they operate in? You decide.
- Get the facts on How OTAs are Double Dipping into Consumers Vacation Funds.
Learn more on Mandatory Resort Fees
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Click here
to read a one-page document to get the facts on mandatory resort fees. - Click here to review Frequently Asked Questions on mandatory resort fees.
About the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the largest hotel association in America, representing more than 30,000 members from all segments of the industry nationwide – including iconic global brands, 80% of all franchised hotels, and the 16 largest hotel companies in the U.S. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support, and workforce development programs to move the industry forward. Learn more at www.ahla.com.
