According to a recent report on the current state of the UK hotel industry (PKF Accountants & Business Advisers, April 2008), the forecast is for steady growth throughout 2008.These are, indeed, encouraging statistics for the UK business hotel sector.

The report, however, does raise some interesting questions. How, for instance, is the business hotel market in particular managing to buck consumer trends and remain relatively buoyant in the face of the current credit crunch and its impact on the UK economy?

Business Hotel Industry Bucks Consumer Trends
The answer is complex. But contributing factors might include Britain’s strategic location as a commercial gateway for Europe and beyond, making the UK an established hub for global commerce and a choice location for business trips, meetings, etc.

Equally significant is the fact that the commercial infrastructure which serves the business community both internally and abroad is firmly established in Britain. This means that the UK city hotel industry is better able to withstand the current worrying downturn in consumer spending. Central to this commercial infrastructure is the steady and ongoing demand for business hotel accommodation, across the UK, and for the facilities and technologies that these types of hotels can provide.

Business Trips & Hotel Location
It comes as no surprise that Britain’s top business hotels generally enjoy plum locations, not only in the capital, but also in all major UK regional cities. Most large UK cities provide convenient business meeting points for those on business trips.

City Centre Transport Links
Efficient transport links are a definite contributory factor to the steady growth anticipated for the UK hotel industry. Add to the mix, conveniently located international and regional airports and a generally efficient rail and road network linking all major UK cities. Outside London, for example, the UK cities and commercial centres of Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Leicester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton, Cardiff, etc., all benefit from easy access to nearby airports, with good onward connections. All this makes doing business in Britain perfect economic sense.

Business Hotels & Conference Centres
Competition is keen across the business hotel sector to provide state-of-the-art facilities tailored to the needs of corporate clientele. Enticements for business people on the move include cutting edge technologies and technical support, high speed internet, wi-fi connectivity, video-conferencing, fully equipped meeting rooms, training and presentation suites, boardrooms, secure data rooms, break-out areas, not to mention top-notch catering facilities and executive accommodation.

As an added incentive, most business hotels and conference centres offer flexible business deals and surprisingly competitive all-year-round rates. Also worth checking out are the cheap weekend leisure breaks available at most business-oriented hotels. These weekend deals enable guests to enjoy the extra facilities at a fraction of the full price. For example, hotels chains including Best Western, Marriott, Radisson, Holiday Inn, Hilton, Sheraton and De Vere, to name but a few of the ‘bigs’, often do weekend promotions that are great value for money.

Independent Business Hotels
Apart from the many well-known international hotel chains aimed primarily at the business sector, an increasing number of independent hotels, throughout the UK, are now also capturing a significant slice of this growth market. Most independently run hotels offer individuality and character alongside the usual trappings associated with high-spec business venues.

Online Booking
Booking a UK business hotel online is easy and hassle-free – a real bonus for the time-starved executive! So, for your next business trip, why not book a city hotel online, today?