| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 11/09/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 31 |
| Copyright: Other |
Marriott and hilton
Expotel eyes UK chains for Woman Aware drive
Report by LEE WINTER
HOTELreservations company Expotel is targeting UK chains such as Marriott and Hilton to increase numbers taking part in its long-running Woman Aware campaign.
There are 450 hotels across the country taking part in the scheme. All meet 10 strict criteria, such as providing well-lit car parks and door peepholes, drawn up by Expotel 18 months ago after a survey of female business travellers.
WomanAware campaign co-ordinator Karen Howard said she would like to see at least 2,000 hotels implementing its criteria within two years.
She said: “We approach hotels individually that are part of these groups to see if they meet our 10 criteria for Woman Aware status.
“But we are now approaching the chains directly in the hope they will adopt our criteria and filter them through to their member hotels.”
Howard said it would be at least two years before it could consider ending its campaign, saying that as nearly half of the hotel business market is now female, they need to be recognised.
She said: “If hotels are ignoring that portion of their potential market then it is bad business and we will continue to pursue the issue to make sure that kind of attitude is changed.”
Successful hotels receive a certificate and are flagged up by Expotel as a Woman Aware hotel when reservations are made through its system.
The Copthorne Hotel in Plymouth is the latest property to be awarded Woman Aware status. Sales and marketing manager Chrissie Stout said: “Most of our business guests are male but we felt that women should not be overlooked. I often travel to conferences alone so Iam well aware of the shortcomings of a lot of hotels.”
* See Hotel Checkout, page 35