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Blog
Marriott Adds Porno Pop-Ups
August 19, 2008
Profitable pay-per-view pornography, arguably the hotel industry's dirtiest little secret and its touchiest subject—pick your pun—is once again posing a public relations headache for Marriott International. A coalition of Christian organizations, including the influential right-wing group Focus on the Family, met with Marriott officials a few weeks ago to persuade the hotel chain to get porn out of guestrooms—or to at least make the movies harder to access. Among the coalition's proposed solutions would be to require patrons of porn to show proof of age at the front desk in order to have the naughty films unblocked.
Talk about a chilling effect.
According to this report in the Colorado Springs Gazette (Focus on the Family is based there), Marriott last week quietly declined that proof-of-age proposal. "Our feeling is that you have to respect your guest in the room," Kathleen Matthews, executive vice president for communications and public affairs, told the paper. "We can't have people coming to rooms checking ID. That would be invasive."
However, the hotel company is working with guestroom entertainment provider LodgeNet Interactive to implement notices that will pop up on screen when a guest attempts to order porn, warning the guest—twice—that there may indeed be some nudity, and to kindly turn back if not of age.
Focus on the Family is disappointed with the results, while free-speech advocates applauded and hotel revenue managers are no doubt pleased.
Still, free-speech and morality issues aside, I wonder just how much Marriott's decision here matters in the long run. Anecdotally, in-room movie revenue is down dramatically in recent years, thanks to a host of other guest entertainment options like Internet, DVDs on laptop computers, Slingbox, etc.
That effect would logically be even more dramatic when it comes to something as personal as porn. Seems to me that an avid adult film-watcher would much rather watch that sort of movie via the privacy of a personal computer, not by purchasing a pay-per-view and having it show up on the folio. (Even if the name of the folio charge is discreet, why risk it?)
So, hoteliers: Is Marriott's latest decision on porn the right one—and does it really matter?
Posted by Adam Kirby on August 19, 2008 | Comments (7)
In response to: Marriott Adds Porno Pop-Ups
GMB commented:
No it's not right, they should make it unavailable unless it's asked for. I don't even want the temptation.
In response to: Marriott Adds Porno Pop-Ups
lookout commented:
Of course it's right...let Focus on Family focus on its own behavior and get out of peoples homes and on the road privacy. Yes, it really matters...people have a right to not have their corporate "parents" advising them on their private behavior.
In response to: Marriott Adds Porno Pop-Ups
hospitalityprofit commented:
How can American adults learn to make the right decision of someone else makes it for them?
In response to: Marriott Adds Porno Pop-Ups
Daniel Dannenmann commented:
The decision is correct. - Hotels are providing a service to travelers that is a "home away from home". Within that service environment, hotels can never take on a role of educating the general public to certain behavioural standards. As such, the thought of checking ID's for movie access is not only "invasisve"; it would be downrright rude and not in line with providing a true hospitality environment.
In response to: Marriott Adds Porno Pop-Ups
Fazil commented:
Hi All it must removed as soon as possible cz it will affect the family business M.Fazil Al Faisaliah Hotel Riyadh K.S.A
In response to: Marriott Adds Porno Pop-Ups
Tom Kenson commented:
Guess what? Hotels make virtually no profit on pay per view services offered by in-room entertainment vendors. Profit margins run about 8 cents on the dollar before electricity costs and system maintenance costs. This is really a free speech issue and I agree with some of the other commentators who believe this is ultimately a choice for the individual. Parent's have alsways had the option to block this content as soon as they view the pay system to protect minors traveling with them to the hotel. As for the amoral Mr. Marriott ... lets get real ... he is a leader in his Mormon faith and all the other major chains use Lodgenet or a similar provider with like content options. I personally predict adult enterainment option will fade away as consumer demand drops due to teh availability of this "entertainment" option online. Tom
In response to: Marriott Adds Porno Pop-Ups
suri,from Bahrain commented:
Hotel is just a provider of this option it is therefore a choice of an individual. Who are we to control some one who as an adult can decide for him/herself. unless there is any rules by law of theland.. HRS