VIPs' hotel bill shocker for council
THE cost of an Inverness hotel booking doubled within a year to more than £4500, it has emerged.
The Courier understands that Highland Council, which will foot the bill, managed to renegotiate to match the initial £2000 rate that was indicated.
But the issue has again highlighted the high cost of quality hotels in a boom time for Highland tourism.
Three French VIPs are visiting this week to take in Sunday’s Kirking of the Council pageant – Dominique Chauvel, the lady mayor of St Valery, a French port with close links to the Highlands since WWII, her husband and a senior colleague.
Councillors last year agreed to £2320 accommodation costs for a six-strong party over four nights but later learned the rate had risen to £4600.
It will now cost £2320 but for three guests. The reduction in guests is not a reflection of the cost, according to the council. It sought quotes from alternative hotels but learned the higher fee was, by that time, typical.
The council’s Inverness city manager David Haas said: "These visits are significant in terms of recognising the links that were established over generations. We do what we can to keep the cost to a minimum.
"I’m pleased to say we’ve reduced the cost considerably. It was a mixture of efforts on all our behalf and good co-operation with the hotel."
He confirmed the sum agreed was close to the original rate given – the Courier understands – by the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness.
Mr Haas added: "The market is heavily subscribed. We should welcome the fact that Inverness is attracting more hotels. There are various hotels being constructed, which is good for the market and will help the overall visitor numbers and, perhaps, help level out some of the costs associated with hotel rooms which are high at the moment."
Kingsmills owner Tony Story would not discuss individual bookings, but said: "Prices in Inverness vary hugely during the course of the year. If you go to any city in a peak period you will pay peak prices."
He added: "We support this kind of event because it’s important to promote the city and particularly important at this time to promote the city to our friends in Europe."
The French delegation’s visit is to enhance ties between Inverness and St Valery-en-Caux dating back to June 1940 and honour the sacrifice made by many Highlanders in the defence of the port.
About 10,000 men serving with the 51st Highland Division recruited from across the Highlands and Islands, were captured along with many French allies by the Germans during an attempted naval evacuation after the Dunkirk exodus.
