Hotel survey takes a swipe at Canadians
Canadians — with the exception of Quebecers — rank among the world’s worst when it comes to pilfering items from hotel rooms, according to a survey made public Monday by online accommodation booking service Hotels.com.
Denmark was ranked as the country with the most law-abiding travellers, as 88 per cent of respondents said they have never pocketed hotel property, such as towels or magazines.
Of those Danes who did admit to taking something from a hotel room, most confessed to swiping magazines and books.
Following Denmark was the Netherlands, with 85 per cent of respondents saying they have never taken anything. Norway placed third at 84 per cent.
Quebec was ranked fourth in a three-way tie with Hong Kong and Brazil. The most commonly taken items reported by Quebecers were linens and towels.
Canada, excluding Quebec, placed 22nd of 28 countries in the survey, with only 70 per cent of respondents saying they have never stolen hotel property. Magazines and books ranked highest on their list of booty.
Mexico placed dead last, with just 60 per cent of respondents saying they had never pocketed a hotel amenity. Again, magazines and books were the most commonly pocketed items.
But the survey providers acknowledged it assumed “the respondents were honest about their own sticky finger tendencies.”
“It’s not a major issue for us.” TONY POLLARD, PRESIDENT OF THE HOTEL ASSOCIATION OF CANADA
Tony Pollard, president of the Hotel Association of Canada, said he did not have figures on the extent of the problem.
“We don’t track it as an industry association,” Pollard said. “We certainly don’t want people walking out of a hotel with things that don’t belong to them, but it’s not a major issue for us.”
The Hotels.com survey also asked respondents what amenities they would be willing to pay for. The top responses were a room with a view at 29 per cent and a balcony at 17 per cent.
Free Wi-Fi was the No. 1 factor in choosing a hotel. And 66 per cent of respondents said free Wi-Fi is the amenity they most wish would become standard at hotels in 2013.