TripAdvisor offers instant booking for Marriott

Marriott International and TripAdvisor have expanded their partnership to add Marriott’s global hotel portfolio to the TripAdvisor Instant Booking platform.

Starting later this summer, travellers booking hotel rooms on TripAdvisor will be able to make a booking at any of Marriott’s 4200+ hotels around the world without leaving the TripAdvisor website.

With Instant Booking, travellers may click on the ‘Book on TripAdvisor’ button to initiate a reservation. The process is powered by Marriott, provides the traveller with links and phone numbers to contact the hotel’s customer service associates directly; in addition, all customer support inquiries will be handled by Marriott representatives.

“TripAdvisor is a perfect partner for Marriott, both strategically and culturally,” said Marriott International Inc CEO and president Arne Sorenson. “Our new agreement demonstrates how the growth strategies for our two companies are aligned in the travel space.”

“TripAdvisor has created a new distribution model that changes the game in the travel industry by addressing key concerns of hotel suppliers,” said Marriott International Inc senior vice president, channel strategy and distribution Shafiq Khan. “The result is mutually beneficial to both partners from a strategic and economic standpoint.

“Marriott’s partnership with TripAdvisor will make it easy for consumers to book with our hotels, and allows Marriott to build a direct relationship with these guests even before arrival. The agreement also maintains our ability to control where the rates and inventory for Marriott’s hotels are displayed. Our partnership will continue to enable us to offer the best benefits, such as Marriott Rewards and Ritz-Carlton Rewards points to our customers who choose to book directly on our channels, including Marriott.com.”

“We are excited to deepen our strategic partnership with Marriott International, an innovative hospitality leader,” said TripAdvisor president and CEO Stephen Kaufer. “We welcome Marriott to the Instant Booking platform, which provides travellers with a new, simplified booking functionality and an opportunity for Marriott to expand its relationship with guests before, during and after the trip.”