新华视点丨酒店、民宿临时毁约涨价，怎么管？

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the frequent occurrences of hotels and homestays unilaterally canceling reservations and raising prices, particularly during peak travel periods like the "May Day" holiday, highlighting the need for stricter regulation to protect consumer rights [1][6]. Group 1: Incidents of Price Gouging - Recent incidents have shown that some hotels and homestays have been raising prices significantly after reservations are made, with examples including a hotel in Guiyang increasing its price to over 500 yuan, four times the original rate [1][2]. - Complaints from consumers have surged, with over 2000 posts related to "May Day" hotel reservation issues on social media platforms, indicating a widespread problem [2][4]. Group 2: Regulatory Response - Local market regulatory authorities have intervened in several cases, mandating hotels to rectify their pricing practices and ensuring consumer compensation [1][2]. - New regulations have been issued requiring accommodation providers to adhere to fair pricing practices during peak periods, emphasizing the importance of transparent pricing [6][7]. Group 3: Industry Insights - The travel industry is experiencing a surge in demand, with predictions that the "May Day" holiday will see travel levels at a three-year peak, leading some operators to exploit this by raising prices after securing bookings [3][4]. - The low entry barrier and fragmented nature of the homestay market contribute to the prevalence of these unethical practices, as many operators lack proper management and oversight [5][6]. Group 4: Consumer Rights and Recommendations - Consumers have the right to demand that hotels honor their original booking prices and can seek compensation for any additional costs incurred due to unilateral cancellations [5][7]. - Legal experts recommend that consumers choose reputable booking platforms and retain evidence of their reservations to facilitate potential claims [6][7].