Travel industry continues debate on contentious Marriott Wi-Fi policy

Monday, 11 Nov, 2014 0

Days after ASTA voiced concerns about Marriott International’s announcement to provide free Wi-Fi to loyalty program members who only book direct, another major player in the travel agent community has weighed in on the issue.

Signature Travel Network has said it is in discussions with Marriott regarding the plan.

Although Signature said Marriot is a ‘long-term and valued partner,’ CEO Alex Sharpe urged the hotel group to change its policy to include bookings processed by travel agents.

"Travelers have come to expect Wi-Fi to be available when traveling. We applaud Marriott’s decision to reward repeat guests with complimentary access, but we are sincerely concerned regarding their decision to circumvent the professional travel consultants," Sharpe said in a statement.

"As an industry that is built on repeat and referral business, we hope Marriott recognizes that many of their most frequent and valuable guests are customers of travel consultants.

"More specifically, they are the clients of travel consultants who have originally brought them to the Marriott brand."

Ensemble Travel Group also criticized Marriott’s policy which only offers free Wi-Fi to customers booking via Marriott.com, Marriott’s mobile app, a Marriott call center or direct with an individual Marriott property.

TravelMole Editorial Team

Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

Wonderful Indonesia Indonesia is a country blessed with countless wonders. What makes this country unique is its diverse culture and...

Ensuring our guests have an unforgettable experience while sailing with us is paramount; however, your health and safety remains our...

Family-owned Olympic Holidays has been arranging holidays to Greece, the Greek islands and Cyprus for more than half century. The company is unrivalled...

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. FOR THOSE WHO WANT A LITTLE MORE. South Australia. It’s a beautiful place. A place for the restless,...

We make travel accessible for everyone We believe everyone should be free to experience the world. For us, there’s no...

STA was established to support the growth of the travel and tourism sector by serving the needs of tourism companies...

The superpower in bed banks for 30 years We are an award-winning and trusted accommodation wholesaler since 1991. We are...

Local spices spike the fragrant air of Morocco. Cradled by the dunes of the Sahara, the Kingdom has been inhabited...

At Wilderness Safaris we believe in creating life-changing journeys and have been doing so for over 39 years. Our purpose...

In the heart of Europe, in one of the most innovative cities in the world, at the centre of business,...

ITB Asia, Asia’s Leading Travel Trade Show, is an annually held B2B trade show and convention for the travel industry; it is designed...

With long periods of Thailand’s History, according to evidences and studies, Sukhothai was the first kingdom of Thailand. At that time, an early Thai...