Hotel companies express sympathy in wake of Japan quake
15 March 2011
(Update) The hospitality industry’s largest players have united to express their sympathy in the wake of Friday’s earthquake and tsunami that has wreaked havoc in Japan.
Companies including the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Marriott International, and Hyatt have issued statements expressing their sympathy with victims of the disaster, and affirming the safety of guests and staff at their properties in the country.
IHG, which has 37 hotels in Japan, stated that all its guests and employees were accounted for and it was closely following developments in the country.
The hotel giant said it had evacuated all 120 guests from its ANA Holiday Inn hotel in Sendai, one of the cities worst affected in the disaster, and had set up a temporary evacuation centre at the property.
“The hotel is still experiencing disruption to utility services. We are working closely with the local authorities to reinstate supply. ANA Holiday Inn Sendai remains closed to new bookings until full utility services and access to other essentials have been restored,” it stated.
IHG added that it had advised all hotels across the Tokyo metropolitan area and the northern part of Japan to follow government recommendations to minimise electricity usage, which in some instances could involve hotels suspending normal services and operations for the duration of the power outage.
Prince Hotels, which has 48 hotels in Japan, reported that it had closed two of its hotels - Shizukuishi Prince Hotel and Shizukuishi Ski Resort – as a result of the earthquake and that some of its other properties would experience changes in hours of operation. The company stressed there were no injuries or serious damages at any of its properties.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts said that all guests and staff were accounted for at its Westin Sendai and the property had suffered no structural damage. The hotel would be closed over the next few days due to lack of facilities, according to a Reuters report.
Hyatt, which has eight properties in Japan, said all its hotels were operational and none of its guests or associates had experienced injuries.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to those who have been impacted by the devastating 8.9 magnitude earthquake that occurred on Friday off the coast of Japan,” it stated. “The safety and security of our guests and associates are top priorities. There have been no injuries to guests or associates at Hyatt hotels in Japan, and all eight hotels are currently operational.”
Hyatt added it would waive all cancellations and rebooking charges through Thursday March 31 for guests that had made reservations at any of its properties.
Marriott International, which has nine hotels in Japan including the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo and The Ritz-Carlton Osaka, stated it had no reports of harm to its guests or employees or of significant structural damage at any of its properties.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to those impacted by Friday’s devastating 8.9 magnitude earthquake in Japan,” it stated.
Accor, which has nine hotels in Japan, said all its hotels remained operational and only minor damage had been inflicted on its buildings.
The company said it had closed its three hotels in the Greater Tokyo area to new reservations since Friday to help accommodate guests that had been unable to leave the country due to transport limitations, and that it anticipated it would restart accepting reservations from March 16.
One of the three hotels - the Mercure Hotel Narita - had been impacted by the national rolling power blackouts for a few hours each day, Accor added.
“We at Accor extend our deepest condolences to the people of Japan as they deal with these tragic events,” Accor stated.
Japan Leisure Hotels, which has six properties, reported some damage to its Sendai hotel although stressed it had been left intact.
The hotel has been shut down and is expected to remain closed for at least a month, according to a report on Sharecast.
The company said no guests were injured during the earthquake and all management and staff had been accounted for with the exception of two employees who had yet to be contacted, the report stated.
