HOTELS in Merseyside are being urged to offer free wireless internet access to all their guests.
Liverpool Hoteliers Association and tourism body The Mersey Partnership (TMP) are calling for all hotels and serviced apartments in the Liverpool city region to offer free wi-fi in all guest bedrooms.
The organisations say many hotels already offer free wi-fi in public areas, while nearly all have some form of it in guest bedrooms.
But they believe that, if all hotels offered such services, it would make the city a more attractive destination for business visitors and conference delegates.
Some 25 hotels across the city region have already committed to offering free wi-fi, including Base2stay, the Adelphi and the Malmaison in Liverpool and the Leasowe Castle Hotel in Wirral.
Robert Nadler, chief executive of hotel group Base2stay and a member of TMP’s visitor economy committee (VEC), said: “To drive business for the visitor economy, we need to be constantly thinking ahead, just as Liverpool has always done.
“Wi-fi has gone from being an optional extra to an essential utility, especially for business travellers.
“Hotels that don’t offer wi-fi, and preferably free, are already being penalised – so I feel that Liverpool could benefit massively by making a virtue out of an inevitability.
“The VEC is working closely with business leaders to encourage as many hotels as possible across the city region to come on-board and offer free wi-fi in all guest bedrooms.
“All independent hotels in Liverpool city centre, as well as the majority of branded hotels, now offer free wi-fi – demonstrating that Liverpool is a leader in creating a business- friendly environment and supporting its offer as one of the leading convention and tourist destinations in the UK.”
Mike Dewey, chairman of Liverpool Hoteliers Association and general manager at the Hard Day’s Night Hotel, said: “Internet access is now an extremely important and essential part of our everyday working and private lives and we believe the free wi-fi scheme will enhance the quality of the city’s appeal to both leisure and business visitors.”
Lorraine Rogers, chief executive of TMP, added: “This free wi-fi initiative promises to add another valuable dimension to the visitor experience.
“It will enhance the overall quality of the service offered to guests, especially those travelling to the city region on business and with a need for fast reliable internet access.”
