Giving credit where credit is due

Date: 29/10/1998

In Pörtschach itself however, the Park Hotel where EU leaders held their meeting did make every effort to ensure that summiteers were made to feel as welcome as possible. One particular innovation noted by seasoned Austrian presidency-watchers was the ease with which bills could be paid at the illustrious establishment.

When EU industry ministers held their informal meeting in the hotel last month, guests were told that it would be impossible to settle their accounts by credit card. Last weekend, however, they were a perfectly acceptable means of payment. Could this be the fastest example yet of the power of the single market?