A tax levy that will effect your decision when finding a hotel London offers is currently passing through legislation. The government is placing a levy on new hotel developments and this has the the IHG, InterContinental Hotel Group, concerned. While the thought was in the right place, as the tax levy is designed to help pay for a rail project running from Heathrow Airport to Canary Wharf, hotel chains are concerned that raising prices on hotels will negatively affect tourism.

This project is designed to connect these locations to make it easier for tourists and to attract business so it’s completely reasonable that the industry is concerned after London’s Mayor Boris Johnson goes against the goal of offering support jobs in London’s tourism businesses.

In the upcoming years there are several world events scheduled to occur in London that would be affected by an increased hotel cost but also would see conveniences from the rail project. London will be playing host to the Olympics in 2012 and the Rugby World Cup in 2015 which will bring with them a large tourism boom from many countries. This is essential as the world’s current economic crisis is reaching a peak in countries that have been using the Euro and are feeling the effects of the crash in Greece.

Hotels protesting this tax on future development have brought up the fact that the jobs created by the hotel industry are vital for the economy which, while not in hot water yet, is bracing itself for tough economic times that have struck elsewhere in Europe. More job opportunities without reducing pay is a good way to promote confidence in lean times.

If the Mayor follows through with the plans for this tax, the average bill of construction for the average hotel with 200 bedrooms could increase by 3-4% or better, which amounts to around a £300,000 increase. This would cause a potential hiring or pay roll reduction for close to a three year period.

The goal of the 2001 US Patriot Act, is to provide the means and the tools to the governmental agencies in the division of anti-terrorism.  This act was intended to strengthen and to unite the people of the the United States in the months and now the years that have followed the terrorist attacks in New York City and at the US Pentagon. This Act is meant to deter further acts of terrorism, and should those acts occur, the Act ensures the proper agencies have at their disposal the methods to conduct thorough investigations.  The act has also been responsible for the easier detection of other crimes as well, such as money laundering and extortion.

American financial institutions have enacted certain practices and policies with regards to the complete investigation of anyone conducted business with the banks, and those who are wanting to become new customers in the American market.  When ever large sums of cash are deposited, employees are required to fill out reports, regardless if the deposit or the transaction appears suspicious.  Every suspicious activity that is noticed, is required by federal law to be reported by that employee.

The US Patriot Act also holds the banks themselves to the same standards.  All records and books must be made available for scrutiny, and the banks that do not comply are subject to criminal charges.  This has resulted in the deterrence of foreign officials and cases of bribery and corruption.  Any time a gift or a monetary amount is requested in exchange for business or financial opportunities, a report will be filed and an investigation will follow.  This has been a problem in some of the developing nations in the world, as corrupt leaders will take illegal chances to abuse their power and to satisfy their own greed.  Assets that are stolen in this manner will be returned to the countries that fall victim to such corrupt leaders.