Tourist accommodation owners must prepare for switchover

Most of the UK’s hoteliers and B&B owners are completely unprepared for the upcoming switchover to digital TV. This could mean that their guests could end up staring blank screens. At least, according to research, by Digital UK.

Of owners questioned, nearly half, 47% said that they had not yet switched to digital yet. Over half, 54% of those who had not yet fully converted their properties ready for digital TV, stated they have no plans to do so, at the present time.

These figures were highest in the Border TV area, Wales, and the West Country, which are actually the first regions in the UK due to make the switch.

This research, conducted for Digital UK, who are the organisation co-ordinating the switchover to digital TV, shows that smaller hotels, B&Bs and caravan site’s were the least prepared, while most of the larger chains have taken steps to convert their hotels equipment.

The establishments which have already made the switch, around 90% said that they had found the changeover easy, or at least, not harder than they had anticipated.
And 80% of those, considered the costs were what they expected. Over than 75% were also satisfied with the new, multichannel TV, they were now able to offer their clients.

Digital UK’s Director of Housing Jane Ostler stated: “Eighty-five percent of British households now watch digital TV at home and they expect it when they stay at a hotel or guest house. Our research shows that, with switchover gathering pace over the next twelve months, the tourism sector must do more to avoid guests coming downstairs to complain that there really is nothing on TV!”

“And it’s not as difficult as you might think. The vast majority of hotels, guest houses and B&Bs who’ve already made the switch have found it easy and say that their guests have been happy with the extended choice offered by digital television.”

There is now a special hotline, Digital UK has set up, and website to assist tourism property managers, which has full details on when the switch is due to happen in each region, how to make the switch, and cost estimates.

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