ASTA Praises Marriott For Including Agents In Direct Booking Campaign
The American Society of Travel Agents is applauding Marriott International for including travel agents in its direct booking campaign.
Marriott’s “It Pays to Book Direct” campaign encourages reward members to book through Marriott’s website and “select corporate accounts and travel agent partners,” although the company has not released who that includes.
ASTA and the travel agent community were outspoken about Marriott’s previous campaign, which featured YouTube videos promising to reward Marriott Rewards members that booked direct with free Wi-Fi and other perks, bypassing agents.
Hilton introduced a similar direct booking campaign, which ASTA came out in favor of. The “Stop Clicking Around” promotion offers Hilton HHonors members a discount of 10% off the best available rate, free WiFi, and other benefits, when booking direct, through its website or a travel agent.
