The survey aimed to give some insight into why some guests steal from hotels why other don’t, with the flight booking company taking data from 1000 people.
While 43 per cent of those surveyed admitted to stealing from hotels, results also showed that more than 60 per cent of Brits who steal from hotels do so because they don’t really believe it counts as stealing.
Of those guests that stole most often from hotels, 3 in every 5 of them believed that it was expected by the hotels that they take things. Another 12 per cent took items because they thought the hotel hadn’t offered them value for money, while 15 per cent claimed to steal because they believed it was unlikely that they would get discovered doing so.
Be upfront
Just The Flight’s survey showed that 45 per cent of men were likely to steal from hotels, just 2 per cent more than the 43 per cent of women who admitted to doing so. Results also showed that younger guests were more likely to take something away with them. Only 37 per cent of over 55s surveyed took something from a hotel this past summer, but 45 per cent of those aged between 35 to 54 did, and 47 per cent of those aged 18 to 34.
There were still a number of guests surveyed who didn’t take anything from hotels they had stayed at, with 35 per cent claiming this was because there was nothing they wanted, and 7 per cent saying it was because they feared getting caught out. Although 16 per cent of guests said they didn’t take anything because it would be setting a bad example to children, the results showed that altogether those who lived with children were just as likely to take something as those who didn’t.
Director of internet for Just The Flight Mark Byart advised: “The survey shows Britons aren’t always sure about what they can and can’t take. Some hotels are happy for you to take mementos home, but others run on very tight margins and would rather not see extra toiletries going missing.
“Some hotels already have price lists for in-room items such as dressing gowns and towels, being upfront with guests can only improve their hotel experience.”