This is amongst the findings in the latest luxury hotel survey of 60 members of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World Consortium, which comprises over 240 properties world-wide, including The Park in New Delhi.

Hoteliers concerned about the economic outlook include those in America, Asia, Australia, Britain and Italy, but those in France, Germany, Ireland, Sweden and Switzerland remain confident.

To counter fears of downturn, hoteliers refer to their resilient niche clients including senior business executives, golfers, rich spa devotees, top government officials and ageing clientele spending `old money', the survey adds.

But over two thirds (69 per cent) of hoteliers are concerned that hygiene and health issues are becoming more serious considerations, due to government pressures and the expectations of their customers. Particular fears centre on the question of liability in the event of guest illness, food suppliers and the future threat posed by resistant strains of bacteria.

Guests in luxury hotels are tending to become thinner, and more faddy about food, which is another worry, because they eat and therefore spend less, but also want more unusual dishes and at less traditional times, according to the survey.

Most depressing of all their problems, say a majority 62 per cent of hoteliers, is to keep their chefs being `poached' by other hotels. Solutions include providing an excellent working environment, the opportunity to develop more interesting and creative menus, giving more responsibility to young chefs, paying them fairly and involving them in all food and beverage decisions, the survey adds.