WHAT do you do if your oilmen can't find a room at an international oil convention? If you're the state of Louisiana, you rent an entire castle.
Halfadozenstatelypilesin Aberdeenshire have been rented out to oil executives attending an international conference in Aberdeen next week.
LickleyheadCastleis30minutes' drive from Aberdeen and sleeps 14. Every room will go to a Louisiana oil exec.
KenChernoff,salesexecutivefor LoydandTownsendRose,atour operator specialising in castles, mansions and villas, said many of their propertieshavebeenbookedfor months in advance.
Some of the castles let include Esslemont,Harthilland Pitcaple, as well as luxury mansions such as Grandhome House.
A cruise ship is also being moored off Peterhead to accommodate delegates at the three-day Offshore Europe oil and gas conference, which starts on September 4.
With 1400 exhibitors at the event, there will be an influx of people from all over the world to the Granite City, coming to talk aboutindustryissuesandnew technologies and products, as well as learning about improved health and safety practices.
MelissaGilchrist,operations manager for Skene House HotelSuites in Aberdeen, said: "The demand for accommodation during Offshore Europe is always overwhelming.Ourregular guestsbook up to 18 months in advance to be guaranteed a suite during oil week. We also have a waiting list and some people do get lucky when we have last-minute cancellations, which are rare but do happen."
Chernoff said: "A lot of people who wanttocometoAberdeenforthe Offshore conference can't get in because everywhere is booked.
"I've just had an email from a guy in Azerbaijan who is staying in Dundee becausehecan'tfindanythingin Aberdeen. We're also getting phone calls all the time from ordinary people in Aberdeen who want to rent out their homes for Offshore."
Rod Begbie, corporate development director for Venture Production, an oil and gas company based in the city, said: "This is one of the most eagerly anticipated weeks in the industry and, indeed, Aberdeen city.
"Offshore Europe is a unique and highly valued opportunity to remind the global oil and gas industry that there is plenty of life remaining in the North Sea basin."
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