Responding to guests' feedback, Hyatt Hotels to offer free Wi-Fi to all guests
MUMBAI – As part of the company’s continued efforts to evolve the guest experience by listening and responding to guest needs, Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced plans to offer free Wi-Fi at all Hyatt hotels worldwide, providing connectivity and convenience regardless of booking method or loyalty program participation.
Free Wi-Fi will become available to Hyatt guests around the world in February 2015. Travellers will be able to access free Wi-Fi on an unlimited number of mobile devices or laptops in Hyatt-branded hotel guest rooms and social spaces.
As a prime highlight supporting this initiation by Hyatt, the Expedia Mobile Survey 2014 quotes that:
– 62% Indian travellers say, Wi-Fi availability or pricing (like free Wi-Fi versus not having to pay for Wi-Fi) impacts their purchase decisions when searching for and booking flights or hotels
– 43% Say complimentary Wi-Fi in guest rooms and public areas is very important when they book a hotel for personal travel
According to the TripBarometer Mobile and Social survey:
– Indians (96 per cent) were not only ranked above the global average of 87 per cent for using mobile devices while on holiday, but they also bragged the most on social media about their trip
– The study also shows that Indian travellers were more inclined than the average global travellers to use their smartphones to access social media and look for recommendations on-the-go
– According to the study, 61 per cent of travellers globally were also engaging heavily in social media during their holidays.
“Internet connectivity is no longer an amenity. It has become an integral part of travellers’ daily lives and a basic expectation,” said Kristine Rose, vice president of brands for Hyatt. “Travellers shouldn’t have to remember which brands or locations offer it for free or the strings attached to get it.“
Hyatt hotels across many brands have long offered Wi-Fi at no charge to guests in several of its brands and to elite members of the Hyatt Gold Passport loyalty program. Expanding free Wi-Fi is part of Hyatt’s ongoing focus to make the guest experience more seamless.
“Our colleagues are committed to not just listening to what our guests say, but understanding their real needs. This practice has already brought us new ways to make a guest’s stay more personal and seamless, from expedited check-in methods to easier ways for guests to make requests,” Rose said. “Today, people consider smartphones just as important as their car and more important than television or coffee. Travellers feel out of sync with their lives when they can’t freely connect. Giving free Wi-Fi without a catch will enable us to continue innovating the guest experience to help people be more productive and stay better connected to colleagues, friends and family.“
Where available, Hyatt Gold Passport Diamond and Platinum tier members will receive a complimentary upgrade to premium Wi-Fi service.
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She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
