‘What do you think should be the British Government’s top five economic policies for the tourism and hospitality sector to survive this catastrophe?’ Anna Tatton 1. Reduce Vat on hospitality to 5% 2. Take the responsibility for tourism from the Department of Culture, Media, and Sport and give it to the Department of Business 3…. Read more
By Adam Raphael Why are so many hotels and B&Bs closing? The short answer is that they have no reserves to combat the disaster of Covid-19. Most have been squeezed dry over the years by commissions levied by online travel agencies. A Which? Travel investigation last year found that guests are paying up to 12%… Read more
After the vaccines have released us from a winter of lockdowns, 2021 is set to be the year of the multi-generational family holiday, bringing together grandparents, parents and grandchildren for a well-earned celebration. The trend here is away from busy resorts and vast hotels towards private accommodation. Of course, splendid isolation doesn’t always come cheap… Read more
By Adam Raphael The darkest hour is just before dawn. We are confident about the Guide’s future, and our outstanding hotels, B&Bs, and inns that make this country a great holiday destination. Our selection of the best will be published as usual this October, our 45th edition. Meanwhile, our 750 selected places, chosen solely on… Read more
By Adam Raphael Asked in ‘Yes Minister’ why culture media and sport were bundled together, the Prime Minister replied: ‘Because none of them matters’. Fine for satire, but no laughing matter for tourism which is so low on the political totem pole that it does not even feature in the title of its main sponsor,… Read more
By Adam Raphael The Guide last week held virtual Zoom forums with 25 of its leading hotels, inns and B&Bs. I was expecting tales of woe, but not a bit of it. One owner reported that he had made more money in the past four months than in the past four years. Most reported being… Read more
By Adam Raphael The news that Sharrow Bay has gone into liquidation owing more than £2 million is a sad event. The original country house hotel, Sharrow Bay was a delight; it spawned many imitators. Paradoxically its closure is good news for all those who treasure memories of their stays there on the banks of… Read more
By Adam Raphael Publishing a hotel guide in the middle of a pandemic is not for the fainthearted. As the country went into lockdown and hotels closed their doors in March, it was a tough call whether or not to go ahead with this year’s Guide. I am glad that we decided to publish, a… Read more
By Adam Raphael On Monday July 29th, the Guide’s website (www.goodhotelguide.com) had its highest number of viewers since its relaunch four years ago. July and August are on course for being our best months ever. This increase in traffic shows that the pent-up demand for staycations is there. That is the good news. The bad… Read more
