More Gulf Coast Oil-Free Guarantees

(Dive Travel Business News - July 13, 2010) --  The BP oil spill off the coast of Louisana in April has caused Florida's hotels to ramp up the advertising of their white-sand beaches. And now hotels along the Gulf Coast are trying to ease the worries of travelers skittish about putting their vacation dollars down on a potentially greasy beach by offering an "Oil Free Guarantee".

Some hotels are easing booking policies by waiving cancellation charges if the property is subject to an "oil event', others are guaranteeing full refunds for prepaid reservations if the guests cannot use the beach and many are waiving early departure charges should the oil spill affect a guest's stay.

Check the fine print though. For instance, Marriott is offering refunds if there's "an official beach closure" by government authorities while Hilton Worldwide will give guests a full refund if their stay was "in any way affected by the Gulf oil spill." Hilton's offer includes those who are uneasy about coming regardless of whether oil has washed up on the beach.

While such guarantees and easing on cancellation policies is helping to reduce worries about the oil spill ruining a summer vacation, tourism remains sluggish in the region.

See Also: Travel Provider offers oil spill guarantee
Image Credit: floridagulfbeaches.org

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