Marriott introduces digital tools for small, medium businesses

Marriott Bonvoy

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL RECENTLY launched "Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy," an online travel booking program for small and medium business travelers. This program combines the benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio with travel tools for booking, managing, and expensing business travel. It is available to businesses in the U.S., Canada and other countries, Marriott said in a statement.

“We recognize the significant value small businesses provide to the hotel industry,” said Drew Pinto, Marriott International’s executive vice president and chief revenue and technology officer.  “Whether small to medium-sized businesses are looking for convenient online booking capabilities for their employees or better expense management solutions, the all-in-one platform, merged with our portfolio of hotel brands around the world, provides everything they need to manage their business travel needs.”

The new program allows companies to book Marriott Bonvoy hotels at discounted rates, along with flights, rail, and rental cars, using a single tool. It also includes business features such as access to live traveler data, real-time reporting and expense management.

A recent Marriott Bonvoy survey of 1,500 business travelers in the U.S., UK, Canada and Mexico found that 75 percent reported frustrations with their travel-booking platforms. Additionally, 56 percent said the platforms were difficult to use, and 58 percent were unwilling to continue using their current programs, Marriott said.

Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy is supported by Spotnana, a travel-as-a-service platform, led by Sarosh Waghmar as founder, co-chairman and chief product officer.

Last year, Marriott International withdrew support from AAHOA due to disagreements over the association’s 12 Points of Fair Franchising and franchise reform legislation in New Jersey. At this year's AAHOA 35th Annual Convention & Trade Show in Orlando, Marriott returned, but its status remains uncertain. Liam Brown, Marriott's group president for the U.S. and Canada, stated at AAHOACON24, "the door with Marriott is always open."