The Hindu Business Line : Marriott clicks on 'virtual concierge'

A FEW mouse clicks and the room service will be waiting upon your arrival. And the local weather report will help you decide what to pack. Or the convenience of an airport shuttle can be confirmed.

These are a few of the services that guests will be able to request online via Marriott International Inc's `At Your Service' pre-arrival planning service and "virtual concierge".

The personalised service would start from January 25 and focus on the total guest experience from point of reservation to check-out.

As part of the pre-arrival planning service, guests will receive a personalised e-mail five days prior to check-in that includes restaurant information, as well as directions and maps.

This service would be offered by 2,500 hotels worldwide, which includes Marriott Hotels & Resorts, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard, SpringHill Suites, Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites and Marriott Conference Centres, said a company release.

The "virtual concierge" will enable the guests to reserve spa treatments, room service for delivery upon arrival, and other amenities specific to each hotel.

They could also request complimentary amenities that each hotel offers, such as extra pillows, miniature refrigerators and early check-in/late check-out, said a company release.

Marriott plans to focus on the growing leisure segment from India to further consolidate its market share. Outbound tourists from the country is estimated to cross 5.8 million.

The World Tourism Organisation's has forecast that India would account for 50 million outbound tourists from India by 2020.

Senior executives from the Marriott global sales organisation and hotels visited Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi from January 17 to 22 to step up their sales campaign to strengthen its market from India.

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