HOTELMARKETING.COM

Why hotels should charge for Internet access

November 20, 2006 |

Wading bravely into the current debate around 'rip off' prices for hotel wi-fi access, Luke Mellors, former CIO at the Dorchester and IT director at hotel reservations agency Expotel, argues that hotels are right to charge guests for internet access on top of their room charge.

At the risk of making myself unpopular among the silicon.com readership I will try to lay out the reasons why I believe ‘reasonable’ charging for internet access is both justifiable and acceptable.

Firstly, let us clarify the debate. It is about charging reasonably versus providing the service free. I do not support overcharging. Secondly, it is about the provision of a service and the responsibility and accountability of this provision that I believe is worth paying for.

It is important as not all hotels offer the same degree of product or service and while the consumer may not be aware of this it is a huge issue within the industry.

I believe wholeheartedly that the internet is simply a gateway and that users use this access for a multitude of purposes. A hotel that provides these services must support the security and accessibility of all its users when providing this service. Not all hotels do.

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