It's nearly unanimous: Ninety-two percent of meeting professionals think Wi-Fi should be a standard, complimentary service in hotel guest rooms, and another 80 percent think it should be free in meeting space, too, per a recent M&C poll. Of the 172 respondents, many shared their verbatim gripes on this touchy topic; read the results at mcmag.com/wifi.gripes.
As an individual traveler, are you likely to pay for more robust connectivity if basic Wi-Fi is free?
5% Very likely
45% Maybe if needed
50% Highly unlikely
For your meetings, are you likely to pay extra for more robust Wi-Fi in meeting space?
21% Very likely
53% Maybe if needed
26% Highly unlikely
Would free Wi-Fi in guest rooms make you more likely to choose a hotel …
…for your meeting?
6% No, not at all
39% Yes, somewhat
55% Yes, a great deal
…for your own travel?
6% No, not at all
37% Yes, somewhat
57% Yes, a great deal
Do you think hotels should charge for Wi-Fi …
…in meeting space?
80% No, it should be provided for free
18% Free is nice, but I expect to pay
2% Yes, hotels should charge for Wi-Fi
…in guest rooms?
91% No, it should be provided for free
8% Free is nice, but I expect to pay
1% Yes, hotels should charge for Wi-Fi
Source: M&C Research survey of 172 meeting professionals
Photograph: (laptop) Istock/alsos