The Days Inn hotel chain has announced its full support for Member of Parliament
Tim Yeo’s Energy Saving (Daylight) Bill.  The Private Members Bill, which proposes advancing GMT forward by one hour to
Central European Time, has its first reading in the House of Commons on Thursday
26th January 07.

On 26th October 2006, as part of its ‘Love the Sun’ campaign, Days Inn published
consumer research revealing the adult GB public’s attitudes on moving from GMT to
Central European Time.  The YouGov research confirmed that over half the adult GB
population (54%) would welcome moving their clocks forward an hour, bringing the
country in line with the rest of Europe. Only 28% of the population were opposed to
any change.

 

In addition to the energy saving benefits highlighted by Tim Yeo’s campaign,
according to the Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), the effects
of clocks going back in October are greatest for the most vulnerable road users. In
2004, pedestrian deaths rose from 56 in October to 76 in November and 78 in
December.

 

Furthermore, The Policy Studies Institute estimates that Single Double Summer Time
(SDST) would increase tourist related earnings by £1billion, which would
consequently increase employment in tourism and related industries. Income from
tourism represents 6% of the UK’s GDP.

 

Belinda Atkins, Days Inn Senior Brand Director, states, “We are delighted to back
Tim Yeo’s Private Members Bill; we were the first organisation to poll the public’s
attitude on this topic last year and our research shows that, as a nation, we are
strongly in favour of trialling a SDST experiment.  As many of our properties are
located adjacent to motorway services, road safety is of paramount importance to our
customers and as a business.  In addition, our industry heavily relies on tourism
and the benefits of a change from GMT to CET are clear.”

 

Tim Yeo MP adds, “I am delighted Days Inn are on board to support this Bill.  It is
clear that the tourism industry recognise the benefits of longer daylight hours and
the massive contribution that they make to Britain’s GDP”.

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