Authorities to legalize non-refundable tariffs for hotels

The authorities will legalize non-refundable tariffs for hotels. The State Duma will consider the relevant bill as early as March.

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In practice, hotels will be able to provide guests with different types of reservations, including cheaper non-refundable ones. As a result, people will be able to choose to stay in hotels at lower prices than at refundable rates. This approach will allow businesses to plan their activities more carefully, the explanatory note to the document says.

The State Legal Department of the President has already reviewed the bill and has not made any conceptual comments. Moreover, the State Legal Department has already recommended the document for adoption in the first reading, it says in the papers of the department, which were read by the editorial board.

The main author of the project - the Ministry of Economic Development confirmed to Izvestia that the document is being prepared for the first reading, which will take place already in the spring session.

"Non-refundable reservations are proposed to be introduced in Russian hotels on a par with refundable ones. This will allow the tourist to choose based on his preferences and situation. For example, this approach will allow to save on the cost of accommodation if the trip will definitely take place, or book a room at a higher price, but understand that the reservation can be canceled. The rights of tourists who chose a non-refundable tariff are protected, if the trip is canceled due to force majeure, the funds are returned", - explained in the ministry.

The ministry added that for the hotel business non-refundable tariffs will increase the utilization and profitability of hotels. The fact is that now tourists often book several hotels at once, and then choose a more convenient option, without notifying other hotels about the cancelation, they explained. The Ministry of Economic Development emphasized that the new approach was proposed by entrepreneurs themselves, who face such a problem.

Read more in the exclusive material "Izvestia":

Welcome: authorities will legalize non-refundable tariffs for hotels