"Hotels are opening up availability on corporate rates once more," according to HRG global hotel relations director Margaret Bowler.

Commenting as part of Hogg Robinson's Group latest report on average hotel rates paid by corporate travelers (which were down--in some markets significantly--during 2009), Bowler cited hoteliers' pursuit of "long-term stable relationships" with corporate clients and low occupancies. "The majority of hotels have adopted sensible long-term pricing strategies to offer value rather than significant price cuts to customers in order to maintain their share of the market," according to Bowler. "This is a more sustainable approach in order to avoid rate cuts and price wars, which offer no long-term competitive advantage and often dilute their corporate business."