LONDON — Hotels in coastal and rural destinations in the United Kingdom have performed relatively well during the past two summers of high staycation demand, but as the pandemic eases and international travelers trickle back, there is concern any gains will be lost as the industry reverts to normal demand patterns.
Another concern among independent hoteliers is that the large, global hotel firms, growing larger due to an increasing number of conversions since March 2020, will further seek to absorb their business.
Speaking at a discussion at the House of Lords in Parliament hosted by the Travel Technology Initiative, Baroness Ros Altmann — who sits in the House of Lords and is a former minister of pensions — said the government is committed to making sure regional U.K. destinations retain some of the tourism advantages they have recently gained. She added this is part of the government’s “leveling up” policy.
Sally-Ann Hart, member of Parliament serving Hastings & Rye,…