Apple Watch fuels Marriott International’s mobile travel revolution

With over a billion people expected to travel in 2015 and nearly two billion smart devices currently in use, Marriott International is on a mission to connect with travelers throughout their journey.

With the launch of Apple Watch, the company has announced another bold step in a series of innovative mobile and digital travel services that are enabling its guests to engage more deeply and often with its global portfolio of 19 brands and more than 4,100 hotels.

In fact, the guests can also easily enroll in Marriott Rewards at no charge.

“Putting our mobile services on the hottest new wearable is an important step in Marriott’s aggressive efforts to create a complete mobile-powered travel experience that puts the guest in total control,” said George Corbin, Senior Vice President, Marriott Digital.

He further noted, “Our mobile platforms are designed to connect and engage at every touch-point, making us a valuable travel resource anytime and anywhere. Service is at the heart of everything we do and mobile is essential to bringing our guest experience to life.”

Recognised by Forbes Magazine as one of the Most Innovative Companies, Marriott was the first to offer mobile check-in and check-out across its full portfolio and recently celebrated its one-millionth check-in.

Just last month, Marriott was also the first hospitality company to accept Apple Pay from this summer onwards, at select luxury, lifestyle and signature brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, EDITION, Renaissance Hotels and Marriott Hotels.

Significantly, Marriott Hotels, the company’s flagship brand, is also testing new mobile services that will enable guests to review their room folio in real time and make service requests before and during their stay.

In addition, Marriott is piloting keyless entry at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel and later this year, the company will also start testing a new ‘Connect My Device’ in-room entertainment platform.

Whether the guest is searching for the perfect beach getaway, using free Wi-Fi to make video calls, ordering extra pillows and towels or streaming his favorite movies and TV series, Marriott’s mobile and digital services enable the guest to connect seamlessly throughout their travel experience.

The guest usage of Marriott mobile and digital services continues to increase with over 50 per cent of visits to Marriott.com happening via mobile and 75 per cent of guests using mobile and digital services during their last trip.

Offering innovative mobile and digital solutions is central to Marriott’s commitment to helping its guests maximize all aspects of their travel experience and have ready access to the places, people and things that matter to them most.

The future of mobile and digital technology is unlimited and plays an important role as travel becomes more open and accessible across the globe. Marriott will continue to collaborate with the best technology companies to create a world class guest experience that is enriching, easy and fun.