Coronavirus fears hit US, international hotel chains
Hyatt, Hilton and Intercontinental Hotels will all waive change or cancellation fees for guests at certain locations
Hotel chains based in the U.S. and United Kingdom are reacting to Wuhan virus fears by waiving fees for guests who change or cancel reservations at Chinese locations.
Chicago-based Hyatt Hotels said Thursday morning it will waive cancellation fees for guests set to stay in areas most likely to be affected by the coronavirus outbreak that has claimed 17 lives, Reuters reported. The company has around 100 locations in the Greater China region.
MORE CITIES SHUT DOWN IN BID TO CONTAIN DEADLY CORONAVIRUS
Virginia-based Hilton and London-based Intercontinental Hotels will do the same for customers set to stay in certain locales. Hilton has a "modification and cancellation waiver in place for all guests who plan to travel to any Hilton-branded property in China" between Jan. 21 and Feb. 8, the company told FOX Business.
Guests traveling from China to a Hilton property may be eligible for cancellation and modification fees as well.
IHG's policy applies to guests staying in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan between Jan. 23 and Feb. 3, the company confirmed to FOX Business.
Staff sell masks at a Yifeng Pharmacy in Wuhan, Chin, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. (AP Photo/Dake Kang)
"We will keep monitoring the situation closely, actively respond to and strictly follow respective regulations, and continue to prioritise the health and wellbeing of our guests and employees," IHG said.
The company's hotels include names like Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza and Kimpton. IHG has more than 400 hotels in 200 cities across Greater China.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H | HYATT HOTELS CORP. | 156.11 | -0.34 | -0.22% |
| IHG | INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP PLC | 126.01 | +0.31 | +0.25% |
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China decided Thursday to lock down three cities that are home to more than 18 million people in an unprecedented effort to try to contain a deadly new viral illness that has sickened hundreds and spread to other cities and countries in the Lunar New Year travel rush.
Chinese state television puts the number of coronavirus cases at 634 as of Thursday morning, according to Reuters.
Shan Li, a reporter from The Wall Street Journal, took one of the last trains out of Wuhan to get to Beijing.
"Wuhan city officials have suspended outbound flights and trains and also public transportation within the city," she said in a video. "Panic had started to set in [at the railway station]. ... Tickets were being sold out. Police were starting to turn people away at the main entrance."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.