Combatting Fraudulent Hotel Bookings: Protecting the Hospitality Industry

Fraudulent hotel bookings tied to visitor visa applications are increasingly becoming a financial burden for hotels across Canada. As the federal government lists hotel bookings as a recommended supporting document in visitor visa applications, many applicants are exploiting this by making temporary reservations and canceling at the last minute, resulting in significant revenue losses for hotels.

The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) is actively addressing this issue, engaging in ongoing discussions with key government agencies like Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA). These talks aim to tackle the widespread problem and develop strategies to mitigate its impact on the hospitality sector.

HAC is also collaborating with provincial partners to assess the full extent of the damage and quantify the financial losses hotels are experiencing due to these fraudulent bookings. By working with government bodies and local associations, HAC is advocating for solutions that protect hotels from falling victim to deceptive practices.