Carlson Hotels Worldwide announced March 20 that it was suspending cancellation fees for groups booked at its Radisson Hotels & Resorts, Park Plaza hotels, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, and Park Inn hotels in North and South America, India, Asia, and the Pacific through May 1, 2003. The policy includes meetings scheduled between March 20 and May 1, as long as the group rebooks its meeting to take place by the end of 2003. Carlson is also waiving change fees for individual bookings between March 20 and May 2.
Starwood also has revised its cancellation policy for individual reservations, waiving penalties for reservations booked until April 20. However, according to information on the company’s Web site, it is passing the buck on meeting attendees, saying, "For individuals attending meetings or events, please contact your organizer for policies on cancellations and revisions for your meeting/event."