ASTA sees red over free Wi-Fi

BANGKOK, 11 November 2014: American Society of Travel Agents lashed out at Marriott International for its latest move to offer free Wi-Fi to its loyalty progamme members who book rooms directly rather than through travel agencies.
Travel Pulse, an influential online publication covering the North American travel market, broke the news that ASTA had criticised the promotion claiming it prejudiced travellers who used travel agents rather than booking hotel rooms direct.
Earlier, Marriott announced that all loyalty members ,who booked directly through Marriott.com or via its mobile app or through another Marriott hotel, would earn free Wi-Fi at more than 3,800 Marriott properties beginning 15 January, 2015.
ASTA President and CEO Zane Kerby
ASTA President and CEO Zane Kerby
The group has around 47 million reward members signed up in its loyalty programmes.
According to vice president of communications programmes and alignment for Marriott International, Stephanie Hampton, the hotel group still valued travel agents… all travel agency customers who were platinum or gold members or currently enjoy free Wi-Fi through corporate accounts would still be covered.
ASTA took exception to the campaign as it would force travel agents to book directly for their customers instead booking through a global distributions systems. Direct hotel bookings cut distribution costs and commissions.
ASTA president and CEO, Zane Kerby, responded to Marriott’s move saying: “We have spoken with Marriott executives to express (members’) concerns. Our message was clear: the policy discriminates against consumers who use travel agencies and is not likely to be well received by them.
“Marriott.com will disadvantage loyal travellers who use the travel agency distribution channel.”
Free Wi-Fi will be available at Marriott Hotels, JW Marriott, Renaissance, Gaylord Hotels, Autograph Collection, AC Hotels by Marriott, Marriott Executive Apartments, and the Ritz-Carlton early next year.
Marriott brands EDITION, Moxy, Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites and Marriott Vacation Club already offer free Wi-Fi.
Charging for Wi-Fi is probably the most criticised add-on fee hotels have ever adopted and is often identified as a major concern for travellers when selecting where they stay.
It was cited as the most annoying feature since hotels charged for telephone calls, by ITB Asia’s keynote speaker, Global Business Travel Association, Apec, vice president Welf Ebeling.

sourced:ttrweekly.com