InterContinental Hotels claims to be first global hotel company to offer free internet
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is to provide free internet to all its 71 million loyalty programme members, worldwide.
IHG said that a global survey it conducted amongst 8,306 adults in the UK, USA, China, France, Germany, India and Russia, showed that 43% of adults would choose not to stay in a hotel that charged for internet.
Richard Solomons, chief executive, IHG, said he is proud that IHG is the first hotel company to offer free internet globally to loyalty programme members.
"In today's fast-paced world, we know that travellers need to stay connected and free internet access is increasingly important," he explained.
The IHG survey showed that 23% of guests find free internet as the most important amenity when staying in a hotel for business, compared to 7% who chose room service.
Travellers from China placed the most importance on online connectivity - with 47% listing it as the most important thing to them travelling on business, followed by those from Russia (26%), the US (23%) and India (22%).
Guests from the UK (18%) and the US (14%) both listed paying for internet as the second most annoying thing when staying at a hotel after noisy guests (22% and 24% respectively).
Globally, more female respondents (14%) say free internet throughout the hotel is most important to them when staying for leisure, compared to 2% who listed having an in-room hairdryer.
Free internet for elite members of IHG Reward Club will start in July 2013 and be extended to all other members during 2014.
Three-quarters of hotel guests want capped free Wi-Fi access >>
