The Icelandic Consumer Agency is expected to launch an inquiry into the business practices of AdaM Hotel, a downtown Reykjavík Hotel which encourages its guests not to drink its tap water, but instead buy bottled water. According to the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV the agency has received public comments regarding the hotel and its conduct.
Read more: Downtown hotel advises guest against drinking tap water, charges 4 USD for own bottled water
Þórunn Anna Árnadóttir at the Icelandic Consumer Agency tells RÚV that the agency will request the hotel explain why its guests are advised not to drink the water in the hotel, but instead buy its bottled water. She tells RÚV that in cases where businesses provide false or misleading information to consumers the agency can step in, ban the practice in question and levy fines. The water and sewage utility in Reykjavík has confirmed that over 100 studies in downtown Reykjavík show there is absolutely nothing wrong with the drinking water.
After photographs of note encouraging people not to drink the tap water in AdaM Hotel on Skólavörðustigur street in Reykjavík were shared on social media the hotel has faced harsh criticism from outraged Icelanders. The management of the hotel has failed to respond to media despite repeated attempts by several local news organizations.
Read more: Hotel warning guests not drink tap water, instead buy bottled water, faces an avalanche of criticism
Helga Árnadóttir the manager of the Icelandic Travel Industry Association tells RÚV that the association monitors cases like this closely. She argues that the explosive growth of the tourism industry in the past few years has exposed the need for monitoring and quality control. While one and one instance of business practices of this kind might not damage the reputation of Iceland, repeated cases could. However, this case also proves the effectiveness of social media in regulating the industry.
The Icelandic Consumer Agency is expected to launch an inquiry into the business practices of AdaM Hotel, a downtown Reykjavík Hotel which encourages its guests not to drink its tap water, but instead buy bottled water. According to the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV the agency has received public comments regarding the hotel and its conduct.
Read more: Downtown hotel advises guest against drinking tap water, charges 4 USD for own bottled water
Þórunn Anna Árnadóttir at the Icelandic Consumer Agency tells RÚV that the agency will request the hotel explain why its guests are advised not to drink the water in the hotel, but instead buy its bottled water. She tells RÚV that in cases where businesses provide false or misleading information to consumers the agency can step in, ban the practice in question and levy fines. The water and sewage utility in Reykjavík has confirmed that over 100 studies in downtown Reykjavík show there is absolutely nothing wrong with the drinking water.
After photographs of note encouraging people not to drink the tap water in AdaM Hotel on Skólavörðustigur street in Reykjavík were shared on social media the hotel has faced harsh criticism from outraged Icelanders. The management of the hotel has failed to respond to media despite repeated attempts by several local news organizations.
Read more: Hotel warning guests not drink tap water, instead buy bottled water, faces an avalanche of criticism
Helga Árnadóttir the manager of the Icelandic Travel Industry Association tells RÚV that the association monitors cases like this closely. She argues that the explosive growth of the tourism industry in the past few years has exposed the need for monitoring and quality control. While one and one instance of business practices of this kind might not damage the reputation of Iceland, repeated cases could. However, this case also proves the effectiveness of social media in regulating the industry.
