Marriott to make newspapers optional
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NEW YORK - Many US hotel chains offer USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, or the local newspaper as a courtesy to guests. Marriott International Inc. will offer a different courtesy: no paper at all.
Marriott said yesterday that it will stop dropping daily papers automatically at its guests' doors. Now, it will offer them a choice of papers or, if they want, no paper at all.
Based on preliminary data, Marriott projects that this will reduce newspaper distribution by about 50,000 copies daily, or 18 million annually.
Beginning June 1, guests at the company's full-service hotels who opt to receive a newspaper can choose between USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and local city dailies.
Marriott's move reflects a wider trend across the United States. Newspaper circulation is falling as people turn to the Internet to get news for free instead of paying for it in print.
Marriott's move may hurt the newspaper business, but it expects it will be good for the environment - something many corporations are touting.
