Meeting cancellations as a result of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill are growing at hotels along the coast, though hoteliers said hype more than actual effects is causing the cancellations, according to data released today by meetings and conventions data firm The Knowland Group.
Of 50 hotels surveyed, 42 percent said they are seeing group cancellations as a result of the spill. The Knowland Group conducted a similar survey earlier this month in which 35 percent of hotels reported cancellations
(BTNonline, May 7).
More than half the hotels surveyed, however, blamed the media attention for the cancellations. Just under half said canceled groups were concerned about the spill’s potential effect on the beach. Only 14 percent said guests were concerned about potential petroleum odor.
The spill's greatest impact is on short-term meetings. The hotels said 44 percent of the events canceled were happening within the next three months, and 88 percent of canceled meetings were within the next six months. Most hoteliers said the impact on future bookings at this point is minimal.
The coastal hotels said they also are seeing an uptick in transient traffic from government, oil industry and media guests in connection with the spill.