Thanks to an innovative campaign smearing the Hans Brinker budget hotel in Amsterdam as being “accidentally eco-friendly”, tourists have kept the hotel running at 80% occupancy even during the low season. ’Smear’ campaign tactics include claiming less energy being used as a result of a lack of cleaning services, out-of-order elevators, spoilt light bulbs and less than adequate hot water supply.

One poster tagline states, “To lessen our impact on the environment staff do as little as possible for guests. An eco-elevator ensures that the only energy spent going to the room is your own.”

While another goes, “Leave the towel on the rack. We won’t wash it. Leave the towel on the floor. We still won’t wash it.”

In typical over-promising fashion, the campaigns have been so effective that guests have come with their own pillows and sleeping bags, convinced of the hotel’s lack of basic amenities.

See the original article here: ‘The worst hotel in the world’ a hit with travellers