John Park, the MSP for mid-Scotland and Fife, has tabled a motion regarding broadband services available in hotels across Scotland. He believes that free broadband connectivity should be available to all guests in all hotels across Scotland and this particular service should become part of the “Hotel stars” system. However, there is likely to be opposition from the hotel industry which has suffered an economic downturn and seen margins and occupancy numbers slashed.
This request from the political arena comes only months after BT’s Openzone division announced an agreement with Macdonald Hotels and Resorts which will see a number of Wi-Fi hotspots introduced in the company’s hotels. Those looking to make use of the broadband hotspots can either use their existing BT broadband deal or purchase vouchers at hotels up and down the country. As a consequence, it is highly unlikely that, at least in the short term, hotel companies would agree to provide broadband services free of charge.
The idea of broadband connectivity becoming part of the overall hotel rating system is an interesting suggestion and one which will no doubt attract various views and various comments from inside and outside of the industry.