U.S. hotels will collect 5 percent more in fees and
surcharges in 2017 than they did the year prior, according to Bjorn Hanson, a clinical
professor at the New York University School of Professional Studies Jonathan M.
Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism.
Source: Estimates from Bjorn Hanson, a clinical professor at the New York University School of Professional Studies Jonathan M. Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism
The projected increase will stem from more fees collected
for cancellations, about 2 percent more hotel rooms occupied than in 2016 and new
categories of fees and surcharges. However, the industry is reducing fees and
surcharges for high-speed internet access.
U.S. hotels also broke the historical record last year,
collecting $2.6 billion in fees and surcharges, a greater amount than was first
forecast. The largest increase was in cancellation fees.
Earlier this year, Marriott
International and Hilton
instituted penalties for cancellations made less than 48 or 72 hours in
advance. InterContinental Hotels Group, too, tightened its cancellation policy,
though to the 24 hours Marriott and Hilton previously had required.
According to Hanson's report, U.S. lodging industry
fees and surcharges have increased every year except in 2002 and 2009 when hotel
demand declined.