Ever heard of ghost booking? It’s a problem that’s growing in travel, in hotels, in restaurants and even in campgrounds. It’s all because someone books without having a true plan to use. They might book a hotel room, a campsite pitch or a restaurant table but never actually arrive. At first, it seems harmless. But ghost bookings cost businesses real money, hijack space from actual guests and cause big headaches for staff. So, what is ghosting, why are people doing it, and how does it affect all of us? What is being done about it?

What is Ghost Booking?

A ghost booking is when you book something, perhaps accommodations, fares, or a table, that you have no intention of using. It’s not like a regular no-show, when someone forgets or can’t make it at the last minute. Ghost bookings are usually on purpose. They could be refundable bookings that people forget to cancel or even stays to satisfy visa or entry requirements. Businesses are left with these ghost reservations on their books but then watch rooms or pitches or seats sit empty.

Why Do People Make Ghost Bookings?

There are lots of reasons people choose to ghost book.

1. Visa and Border Rules

Some countries require proof of accommodations before they allow you in. To sidestep this requirement, travellers book a room they never intend to enter. For instance, after two German tourists were initially refused entry into Hawaii for not having enough nights, this hack started to gain traction. People use free-cancellation hotel sites, book enough nights, then cancel after they cross the border.

2. Skipping Queues and Scoring Perks

Theme parks sometimes give hotel guests special access. At Universal Orlando Resort, guests who book certain hotels get Express Passes, letting them skip queues. Some visitors book expensive rooms for the perks and then don’t stay. They switch to a cheaper hotel or Airbnb once they have the passes.

3. Support in Crisis

Not all ghost bookings are selfish. In 2022, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, people used Airbnb to send money directly to Ukrainian hosts. They booked stays they never planned to use, knowing it was a fast way to help locals in need

Also Read: New UK Immigration Rules 2025: What You Need to Know

Ghost Booking vs No-Shows

It’s worth understanding the difference.

• No-show: Someone genuinely plans to go but can’t make it last minute or forgets.
• Ghost booking: A deliberate booking with no intention of using the service.

Restaurants report that up to 20% of bookings are no-shows in big cities. Both ghost bookings and no-shows hurt businesses. Empty tables mean wasted food, unused staff time, and lost income.

Cost to Businesses

The price of ghost bookings is real. Hotels, campsites, and restaurants can’t fill spaces last minute if a guest ghosts. They may pay for extra staff, heating, cleaning, or catering for guests who never arrive. It also blocks genuine customers from booking. Restaurants, in particular, feel the sting. A table that’s ghosted means lost sales, wasted ingredients, and frustrated staff. Some fine-dining venues estimate that no-shows and ghost bookings cost thousands of pounds a month.

How Businesses Are Fighting Back

Many businesses are fighting back with stricter policies.

• Deposits and Card Holds: Some ask for a small fee upfront, refunded if you show up. Others pre-authorise cards to discourage fake bookings.
• Reminders: Restaurants and hotels send texts or emails to confirm. Systems that use reminders cut no-shows by up to 90%.
• Cancellation Policies: Fine-dining restaurants often charge £20–£100 for missed bookings.
• Blacklists: Sites like OpenTable track your history. Too many no-shows and you can lose your booking rights.

When Ghost Booking is Helpful

Not every ghost booking is bad. Some travellers genuinely use bookings to satisfy border requirements in countries with strict entry rules. Others use ghost bookings as charity, like those Airbnb stays in Ukraine that put cash straight into locals’ pockets. Still, the challenge is balance. Helpful ghost bookings are rare. Most just clog up systems and hurt businesses.

Tips for Travellers

• Book only what you need. Think before reserving “just in case.”
• Cancel in time if plans change. Many places allow free cancellations up to 24 or 48 hours.
• Respect policies. If a place has a fee for no-shows, it’s usually to protect their staff and costs.
• Choose honest options. Don’t abuse systems for perks at others’ expense.

Hospitality’s Response

Many restaurants and hotels are learning fast. They’re investing in better booking systems, clearer policies, and customer education. Campaigns like Show Up For Hospitality in the UK highlight the real cost of no-shows and ghost bookings. By sharing these challenges, businesses hope to encourage more honest, thoughtful bookings.

Final Thoughts

Ghost booking might actually seem like an innocent little prank. But when people book without any intention of showing up, it can take a toll on businesses and resources and block legit guests. It doesn’t need to be like that. By acting fairly and cancelling early even if plans change, we can support hotels, restaurants and campgrounds so that they can continue to serve all of us. After all, showing up when you say you will is good manners and good for everyone.