Resort fees back in the spotlight

31 Oct, 2011 By: Stephanie Ricca

CNN Money has hotel resort fees back in the spotlight today, reporting that total fees and surcharges collected by hotels in the U.S. are projected to hit a record $1.8 billion this year, up 80 percent from a decade ago.

The research here is from Dr. Bjorn Hanson's report, published in September, showing upward trends in additional hotel and resort fees this year. Hanson is divisional dean, clinical professor and HVS chair of NYU's Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management. The research shows an increase of 4 to 5 percent in occupied rooms compared to 2010 values.

While Hanson's report focuses on the larger combined costs of resort fees and surcharges, the CNN Money piece points out examples of smaller incremental surcharges hotels are adding to gain revenue. Those include charging $1.50 "safe warranty" fees, and $3.50 "luggage holding" fees, in addition to the more common fees associated with Internet access, newspapers and using fitness facilities.

"Funny. They offer you a free breakfast, then charge you for the privilege of using the gym," said one commenter below the CNN Money piece. "The 'big' hotels like Hilton, Hyatt, etc. have always played this game, it is just getting worse," said another.

What do you think? Add your comment to the story posted on our Facebook page here.

Topic : Resort fees, Surcharges, Internet
External Source : CNN Money, NYU Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management

What do you think of this Newswire?