Following an investigation initiated earlier this year into complaints that hotel rooms were booked in some Mackinaw City hotels despite being closed, some operators have reached an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance as a result of the investigation.
The investigation deemed that the hotels were advertised through a tourism website that was owned and operated by people who also had ownership interests in the entities running the properties themselves.
Following is a full release from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on the findings of the investigation:
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has reached an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance (AVC) with the operators of several hotels and tourism groups around Mackinaw City following an investigation into business practices related to customer reservations.
earlier this year, Nessel issued a Notice of Intended Action (NIA) following consumer complaints that alleged instances where consumers booked rooms at hotels that, while advertised as available and the reservations ultimately confirmed, were in fact closed without notice to the consumer. Additionally, attempts by consumers to secure refunds in those instances were unsuccessful.
During the investigation, conducted by Nessel’s Corporate Oversight Division, it was determined the hotels were advertised through a tourism website that was owned and operated by persons also having ownership interests in the entities running the properties themselves.
The Department has been working with the attorneys representing the entities since February to reach this amicable outcome, which avoids additional action by the Department.
The AVC was reached with the following entities:
- Enjo Properties LLC
- Jade Enterprises, Inc.
- Lieghio’s Hamilton Inn Select, Inc.
- Mackinaw City Chamber of Tourism, Inc.
- Mackinaw City Chamber of Tourism, Inc., d/b/a Hotel Jabber Travel Advisor
- Quality Properties of Macknaw, Inc.