Company Debuts New Kids Program After Prompting Children to Speak Up
Adults are always the last to know what kids really think about, so to make summer vacation more fun for everyone, Wyndham International, Inc. (AMEX:WBR) went straight to the source and cracked the kid code. The result is Kids ByRequest -- an extension of the company's groundbreaking guest recognition program, Wyndham ByRequest(R) -- built around specific feedback from kids to deliver on their wants and needs.
To discover the truth about what kids want from a hotel and vacation, Wyndham pulled up a chair to the kids' table and hosted a series of focus groups with "travel savvy" kids. Results found that kids value complimentary amenities, really do enjoy spending time with their families, and pizza is still an all-time favorite food. The focus groups also revealed that kids often do not feel welcome at hotels, due in part to limited activities available on property.
Kids weren't the only source Wyndham tapped -- an informal survey of parents conducted by Wyndham's reservation agents revealed the majority of parents felt kids do not always have enough activities to entertain them throughout their stay. Findings also indicated that parents see more value in a room rate that includes a breakfast option.
The Kids ByRequest program addresses these issues by offering three packages designed to fulfill both kids' and parents' requests. Available Thursday through Sunday -- the most popular time for families to get away -- now through Labor Day at participating Wyndham properties throughout the U.S. and Caribbean, the packages include:
-- The Family Breakfast package, which offers breakfast for two adults and two children. Additional adults or children can be added for a small $6 fee per person. Families booking this package will also receive vouchers for per person dinner discounts.
-- The Pizza Party package, which includes a 16-inch pizza with two toppings and soft drinks delivered to the guest room. For $5 more, an eight-inch pizza and soft drinks can be added.
-- The 50/50 Weekend Escape, which offers families their choice of 50 percent off a second night's stay or 50 percent off a second room, along with the option to include breakfast.
In addition, Kids ByRequest is offering a special welcome amenity tote containing a kid-friendly snack, a colorful luggage tag and the child's choice of disposable camera, keepsake picture frame or the popular family card game Uno(R) available to all children of ByRequest members who book one of the above packages.
"Kids are an increasingly important part of a hotel's customer base, with 50 percent weighing-in on family vacations.(a) Wyndham designed Kids ByRequest to make certain they enjoy the same personalized experience as all our guests by making them feel special," said Craig Cunningham, senior vice president of marketing, Wyndham International. "Wyndham's approach to hospitality has always been to give guests the tools to ask for what they want from their hotel experience. That doesn't, and shouldn't, have an age limit."
Families staying at select Wyndham Resorts can also plan a Wyndham Family Retreat(SM), the first hospitality industry program that encourages families to spend time together through a wide variety of interactive sports, leisure and dining activities. A sampling of family activities includes "Cooking with the Chef" classes, where kids prepare a special meal for their parents under the guidance of the resort chef, and "Dive-In" movies, where families enjoy an all-ages film while floating on their choice of pool raft.
Available at select Wyndham Hotels & Resorts properties, these packages can be booked by visiting www.wyndham.com or by calling 800-WYNDHAM. When scheduling, parents should indicate the package of interest, the number of children accompanying them and choice of amenity. Parents who wish to join Wyndham ByRequest, which is free of charge, can do so while making their reservation, logging onto www.wyndham.com or visiting the front desk of any Wyndham property.
Wyndham empowers all its guests to personalize their stays by offering ByRequest members more than 300 options to customize their guest room. Upon check-in at any Wyndham property, members will find their room tailored to their specifications including preferred snack, beverage and pillow type. ByRequest members also enjoy free local and long distance telephone calls(b); free copying, faxing and high-speed Internet access; airline miles at any rate with any of Wyndham's 10 airline partners or Membership Rewards(R) points from American Express; as well as express check-in and guaranteed late check out; and having their bill e-mailed via an e-folio.
Based in Dallas, Wyndham International, Inc. offers upscale and luxury hotel and resort accommodations. Wyndham owns, leases, manages and franchises hotels and resorts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Bermuda and Europe, and guarantees that the best rates for its properties will be found on its Web site. For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.wyndham.com or call 800-WYNDHAM. Wyndham is a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance (www.globalhotelalliance.com), a worldwide union of hospitality companies that provides guests with unique, personalized guest services.
(a) 2005 Yankelovich Youth Monitor
(b) Free in-room domestic long distance calling is limited to ordinary personal and business requirements. This benefit is not available for purposes of telemarketing, political solicitation, or other improper uses -- as determined by Wyndham at its sole discretion. Wyndham reserves the right to suspend or terminate membership on some or all Wyndham ByRequest benefits at any time without notice. Free local and long distance calls, faxes and copies in the 48 contiguous states; does not include charges to Alaska or Hawaii. Not applicable to offshore properties or international calls. Not applicable to groups or conventions. No auto-dial.
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