A debate has broken out after a woman has been asked to cancel her holiday to Scotland.
The woman took to popular forum Mumsnet to explain that she had booked accommodation in Scotland for herself, her family and dogs but was asked to cancel it by the owners as they had signed up to the scheme to house refugees from Ukraine.
She asked fellow Mumsnet users if she was being unreasonable to find it rude of the host to ask such a thing.
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Keeping anonymous, she explained: "I booked holiday accommodation last year for this coming June in Scotland. They allow pets so this was the main pull for us. We have booked tickets for a big gig taking place there and are travelling from south of the UK.
"I just received this email from them: "We have applied to use the barn for Ukrainian refugees. if it's not a problem for you can you please cancel free of charge"
"I replied saying we have booked some activities etc and is she sure the place wont be available at that time, we booked eight months ago and her response was: "No you need to book something else sorry".
"AIBU [Am I being unreasonable] in thinking this is rude?? Obviously, I have nothing against them housing refugees but I am a bit taken aback.
"AIBU to be p***** off or AIBU for my first world problems when there are families to house?"
She added: "Surely she would see a diary of full bookings and think "I am not yet in a position to use the barn to house others, but will stop taking bookings now to enable myself to do so at a later date"?"
The post split opinions with many telling her not to cancel, as that was a something that stood out as a red flag. While others argued she was being selfish and should 'have a heart.
One user questioned why the host couldn't cancel the booking themselves: "My first thought is, why is she asking you to cancel? Is this a platform where a host cancelling would be considered a problem? I certainly wouldn't cancel myself in your circumstances. If you do it you lose any rights you have. If the host has to change plans, the host has to cancel it themselves and risk the negative consequences that may entail."
She added: "Also I would be very wary that her taking in refugees is the actual reason - it's more likely she is using this as an excuse because she's found someone willing to pay more. People tend to exploit human tragedy in this way."
Another said the woman should just find somewhere else to say: "Can you not book a local Premier Inn or Travelodge locally? If you can, then I think you should let this go. You have other options, many refugees do not."
"Can't really blame her for the wanting to house refugees rather than holiday makers. Although I can see why it's annoying for you." One sympathised with the original poster.
Another added: "No way would l be cancelling. Her communication is rude and abrupt. Cynically l do not believe her explanation, l think she’s either bumping you to get more money out of someone else or wants it for friends or family."
And one questioned if the housing refugee scheme would be more beneficial for the owners of the accommodation: "If she has registered to house refugees I am wondering if, like the person upthread, that she had to offer to put up the refugees for four to six months.
"For holiday property owners this might be a good deal as it would give them guaranteed income through the low season, and possibly longer, and not just June to August."
And one told her to have a heart: "The UK has a housing and accommodation shortage. Europe (including UK) had just had four million refugees arrive - as a result of a war. They are fleeing mass execution, rapes of young women.
"I'm really sorry for your inconvenience - but have a heart and perhaps understand why the hotelier wanted to use the accommodation to a better purpose.
"As for those suggesting it is for profits from the £350/month Ukrainian scheme - nonsense. This business will lose a lot of money by hosting."
Do you think it's fair for the accommodation to ask the guest to cancel their bookings? Let us know in the comments.
