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TripAdvisor survey tracks hotel amenities trends

February 01, 2012 | Hotel Marketing

Results of a new TripAdvisor survey of more than 1,000 U.S. travelers and more than 600 U.S. hotel representatives shows that Wi-Fi Internet access and breakfast included with booking are king, while a turndown service offers very little value.

Of the travelers surveyed, 54 percent said they have canceled a lodging reservation because they found better amenities at a different property.

- 88% of travelers expect Wi-Fi Internet access to be free of charge in all lodging types
- 41% of travelers have never paid for Wi-Fi Internet access
- 65% said they have used free Wi-Fi Internet in an accommodation’s lobby or common areas to avoid paying for in-room access

According to the survey, 93 percent of accommodations report offering some form of free Wi-Fi Internet access to their guests.

“While accommodations generally appear to be in sync with most traveler amenity preferences, our first-ever 360° survey reveals that there are a number of opportunities for lodging businesses to shift the focus from some services to others to capture travelers’ attention,” said Christine Petersen, president of TripAdvisor for Business. “For example, offering complimentary or discounted tickets, recommendations or even a shuttle service to local attractions or a nearby airport may help tip the balance in a property’s favor, especially when you consider that more than half of travelers say they’ve canceled a reservation because they found better amenities elsewhere.”

Get the full story at Marketwatch

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