According to a survey of 1,000 U.S. hoteliers by TripAdvisor, a staggering 91% say they will offer in-room Internet access as a free amenity in 2011. Only 5% of respondents will charge for the amenity, while the remaining 4% have no plans to offer Internet access.
In the first of what the online travel review site says will be an annual survey, hoteliers say they expect average room rates will either hold steady (51%) or increase (45%) this year. Three in five U.S. hotel owners are planning interior renovations this year, and two in five will upgrade their properties’ exteriors.
Most owners appear to be embracing online consumer engagement, with 57% expecting to grow social media marketing budgets this year, and just 6% anticipate social media budget cuts. Meanwhile, virtually all owners surveyed—an astounding 99%—plan to respond to online guest reviews in 2011, with the majority saying they will respond to both positive and negative comments.