MARRIOTT International is aiming to attract more business travellers to its hotels by installing high-speed Internet access in its guest rooms, meeting rooms and business centres.
The technology will be 50-times faster than conventional data ports and allows guests to access the Internet and use the telephone simultaneously. The hotel company is the first to offer the service.
Installation will begin next month in the Marriott Hotels Resorts and Suites, Renaissance Hotels and Resorts and Courtyard by Marriott brands. Installation can be done quickly as the system uses existing telephone lines and requires no new wiring or cabling.
Marriott expects the service to be on-line at 100 hotels by the end of 1999 and more than 500 properties by the end of 2000.
The system also features a customised Internet page which offers information on hotels, amenities, business services, restaurants, local attractions and shopping.