It’s no secret that some travelers suffer from sticky fingers. While they may not be trick-or-treaters at night, people still feel the need to take home a few things from a memorable vacation that they didn’t buy in the gift shop. No one knows this better than hotel managers.
According to a recent survey conducted by Passport-Photo.Online, 87 percent of the guests who were asked admitted that they have stolen from a hotel at least once in their life. Some travelers are admitted kleptomaniacs, while others just want something extra to bring home as memories of their trip. Either way, hotels around the world are taking a hit.
Theft costs hotels about $1 million a year, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association. More and more hotels are taking steps to protect themselves from undercover criminals like women on vacation with their families. According to NBC, many hotel chains have set up digital “no-stay” lists to ban select guests who have been identified as thieves.
“Get into trouble at the Hilton in Miami, for example, and it may be difficult to get a reservation at the Holiday Inn in Seattle,” NBC wrote. “That’s because most of the databases of blacklists in individual hotels are kept in an organized manner.”
No matter the reason, hotel theft is a crime. But what exactly can travelers do during their stay at their favorite hotel? Here are some luxury items stolen from hotel rooms.
Towels
Believe it or not, travelers 35 and older are more likely to steal from hotels than younger people. One of the things they like to steal are towels.
Everyone knows hotel towels are some of the best towels you can find, depending on where you are staying. They always look great, the perfect size, and are soft on the skin. No wonder people want to take them home. According to Lodging magazine, 100,000 to 200,000 tons are stolen from hotels every year.
Food Soap
While it may seem difficult for someone to steal a soap dish, this is a great souvenir for someone looking for a razor after their memorable getaway. According to this study, American travelers steal from hotels because they believe it is appropriate. Whether it’s the money they’ve spent on the room or the stolen items that carry the sentiment, Americans have a sense of entitlement that makes them believe that a soap dish in a hotel room will look great in their home.
Tissue Boxes
Many people like to keep small pieces only when they need them. Some, however, need the whole box. Tissue boxes are one of the most common items stolen from hotel rooms.
Some travelers admitted in the survey that they stole from hotels because of the adrenaline rush. However, 30 percent of tourists say they steal on purpose because they received poor treatment during their stay.
Bathroom Toilets
Apparently, the bathroom is a thief’s favorite playground. Bathroom amenities such as shampoo, conditioner, and lotion are some of the items stolen from hotels. Of course, it’s legal and many feel if they don’t use it, they’ll use it on the next guest.
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