Hotel News | "Hilton Worldwide and USA TODAY Announce Multi-Year Alliance"

By: Press Release
Source: http://www.hotelinteractive.com
Category: Hotel News

Today, Hilton Worldwide and USA TODAY announced a new multi-year print and digital alliance, offering all guests at Hilton Worldwide brands in the U.S.  complimentary 24-hour access to customized digital content from Gannett publications, including USA TODAY. As an added benefit, members of Hilton HHonors, the loyalty program for Hilton Worldwide’s 10 distinct hotel brands, will also gain exclusive access to online entertainment through the Hilton HHonors Guest Portal, powered by USA TODAY. 

These offerings create a unique online hospitality amenity, providing unmatched global news and local insider information, while also keeping each guest connected to their hometown news.Guests staying at hotels within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio in the U.S. will start to see changes to the digital offerings beginning this summer, with a full rollout scheduled for the fall.

Travelers not only crave news to stay connected while they travel, but they also want to maximize their experience with trusted local insights across multiple sources, according to independent research commissioned by USA TODAY*. The research also revealed that more than 70 percent of frequent U.S. travelers expect and look forward to receiving the national newspaper as part of their hotel experience.

“Hilton Worldwide stays at the forefront of the hospitality industry by understanding the needs of our guests,” said Paul Brown, president, brands & commercial services, Hilton Worldwide. “Staying current with emerging trends and technologies is something our guests not only demand, but deserve–and our alliance with USA TODAY helps in that progression.”

Convenience, as well as flexibility, will be at the core of this new print and digital alliance, giving guests a choice on the content they see, as well as how they see it. Copies of USA TODAY, the nation’s top-selling print newspaper, will continue to be available for guests. Additionally, through the high-speed internet homepage on personal laptops, smart phones, tablets or business center computers, guests will have direct and exclusive access to online content throughout their stay to make the most of their travel experience, including:

• Comprehensive regional, national and international news
• Unique local guides, restaurant reviews and insights
• Customized digital content that will keep each guest connected to their hometown news 

Hilton HHonors members will also have access to premium online entertainment through the Hilton HHonors guest portal, powered by USA TODAY. Hilton HHonors tier status will determine the extent and variety of media available to each member, which, upon full launch, will include books, magazines, games, and other entertainment content. 

“This product brings together the best of multi-media news and information with the best of hospitality,” said Dave Hunke, chairman, USA TODAY. “We’re looking forward to launching this first-of-its-kind product, created for a global, multi-brand hotel company, and continuing our long-standing relationship with Hilton Worldwide

 

Source: http://www.hotelinteractive.com/buyer/article.aspx?articleid=25042