The Knowland Group, a global meetings and conventions industry data firm, recently released a fourth round of survey findings on the effects of the Gulf oil spill on the region’s hospitality industry. Results show a majority of hoteliers are finding ways to cope during the ongoing turmoil, with 66 percent of hotels surveyed seeing an increase in room bookings due to the oil spill cleanup.
Knowland surveyed 50 hotels across the Gulf Coast that host meetings and events.
“It is actually a relief,” said a hotelier in Panama City Beach, Fla., about cleanup workers making up 75 percent of her business. “When the oil hits, I know there will be people here to handle it.”
Hotels facing the biggest challenges hope to take advantage of the $20 billion claims fund BP has set up, but some are waiting to see what the lasting impact will be before deciding.
“It’s premature to say whether I’m going to take advantage of the $20 billion BP claims fund,” explained one Pensacola hotelier. “If the cleanup workers make up for the leisure travel bookings than I’m not going to worry about it.”
“Regardless of the situation, hoteliers who practice professional business development are going to find a way to bring in business,” said Knowland Group CEO Mike McKean. “This is just another example of the resiliency of the hotel industry.”
