A majority of hotels on the Gulf of Mexico coast now are reporting meeting cancellations as a result of the BP oil spill, according to data released today by meetings and conventions data firm the Knowland Group.
In a survey of about 50 coastal hotels, 60 percent said they have had group cancellations attributable to the oil spill. That number has grown continually since the Knowland Group began surveying hoteliers on the issue in May. In its last survey, on May 19, 42 percent of hotels reported cancellations related to the oil spill
(BTNonline, May 19).
Additionally 62 percent of hotels said the spill has impacted future group bookings. Most hotels said the affected timeframe is within the next six months, though 21 percent said the spill is affecting group bookings six months or more in advance.
“The beach is a big concern,” said Megan Tate, the group’s communications manager. “We’ve had more hotels say the oil has either reached their shore or is very close. This is going to continue to have a big impact on the hospitality industry down there.”