YORK'S reputation with visitors is being threatened by "bad apple" guest houses, according to tourism chiefs.

Thirty per cent of accommodation-related complaints made to the Yorkshire

Tourism Board in 2001 were about York, and top of the list were poor customer care, bad staff attitude and shabby decor.

Hoteliers and tourism bosses say the problem lies with just a small number of establishments, and the latest York Hospitality Association (YHA) newsletter describes the problem as "bad apples significantly affecting the

statistics".

All hospitality businesses have been urged to join the established

inspection scheme so that visitors to the city know what to expect from all

guest houses before they stay - reducing the chances of complaints.

According to the Yorkshire Tourist Board, there were 73 complaints about

accommodation in York last year, out of a total of 238 complaints relating

to the whole of Yorkshire.

Even though some highlighted the same establishment, the number still

represents a high proportion of the 385 accommodation providers in York.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of the York Tourism Bureau, said: "York has

an excellent reputation, but that doesn't mean we can rest on our laurels."

Updated: 11:39 Thursday, May 02, 2002