Marriott pulls YouTube video after it upsets agents
Marriott International has agreed to pull a YouTube video after agents complained it was disparaging to the trade and misleading.
The video was part of a digital campaign encouraging customers to book direct and showed a lost couple getting bad directions from a garage attendant and being forced to take the scenic route.
But after a backlash from US travel agents, and a formal written complaint from trade association ASTA, the hotel giant has bowed to pressure and has pulled the video.
Marriott told US trade publications the video was never intended to offend anyone but said it was removed as soon as concerns were raised.
The digital campaign #itpaystobookdirect advertises free WiFi and other benefits for members of the group’s loyalty scheme Marriott Rewards who book direct on its website.
Two other Youtube videos in the campaign have not been withdrawn.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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