As many people continue to evacuate to avoid Hurricane Matthew, the hotels that they’re heading too are continuing to fill of rapidly.
Central Florida was one of the first places to start filling up, with areas like Hillsborough County at 95 percent occupancy rates. Many hotels are trying to be more flexible to allow people to take safety, such as reducing their rates or allowing pets when they normally have a no pet policy.
According to the executive director of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater David Downing:
“This is not a situation where hotels look to make extra money on this. The rates are favorable to help people out, and it’s coming at a time that’s not the peak of the season.”
Some hotel guests however, have complained about price hikes, and Florida’s Attorney General Pam Bondi has made it clear that type of behavior will not be tolerated.
“If you are a hotel and you’re increasing your prices, we are going after you. You cannot increase your prices in a state of emergency. It’s sickening if you are a hotel and you are raising your prices to profit from people who are out of their homes and need a place to stay.”
