Quake Costs Hotels Some Business

Los Angeles area hotels have reported scattered room cancellations and postponed meetings in the wake of the Northridge earthquake.

However, hotel and tourist officials expect business to return to normal levels by summer. In fact, many area hotels will be sold out this week with pre-booked meetings and the arrival of insurance adjusters, as well as residents whose homes were damaged.

“Clearly, we will lose business,” hotel consultant Bruce Baltin at PKF Consulting said. “Occupancies in the first quarter should be lower. But by the summer, the economic impact will be over.”

Marriott and Hilton hotels reported a relatively small number of room cancellations. However, the Beverly Hilton, for example, has been sold out with participants of a medical convention that began Tuesday. The Los Angeles Airport Marriott expects to be sold out next Saturday through Thursday.

“We are faring very well,” Marriott spokeswoman Catherine Boire said. “We are seeing some insurance adjuster business, which is substantial.”

But many visitors remain concerned. The California Gift Show said at least 70 exhibitors have decided against participating in the trade show, which begins Saturday at the Los Angeles Convention Center. However, show general manager Jack Chalden said more than 2,000 exhibitors are still expected to attend.

Meanwhile, several airlines have waived fees and penalties for passengers wanting to postpone their flights into and out of Southern California.

American and Continental airlines, for example, will give customers until Monday to reschedule flights without paying a fee.