§ Mr. StinchcombeTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how she monitors prices charged by private hotels for accommodation in different regions of the United Kingdom. [24413]
§ Dr. HowellsPricing policy is a commercial decision for each hotel operator in light of prevailing market forces. Therefore, DCMS does not monitor prices charged by individual accommodation providers. However, my Department is concerned with price transparency and the need for guests to be able to form a judgment about how much it will cost them before purchasing a room. The Tourism (Sleeping Accommodation Price Display) Order 1977 requires hotels to display in their reception areas or entrances the highest and lowest prices for each type of room (e.g. single, double etc.) and those prices must include, where appropriate, any service charge or meals and whether VAT is included.