Marriott trials workspace bookings
Marriott is trialling a new scheme that enables customers to make reservations for work and meeting space, like they would book a hotel room.
The ‘Workspace on Demand’ scheme, which is initially being tested at hotels in the US, enables people to book small meeting spaces, lobby seating areas and communal tables to work or hold meetings.
The move follows research that suggests up to 1.2 billion people across the world do not have fixed office space. This number is believed to be increasing as companies try to reduce overheads by closing offices.
“Whether you work from home and need a place to meet a client in the neighbourhood or you want a flexible space to meet and collaborate with company colleagues, we want to welcome you into our hotels and… lobbies,” said Paul Cahill, Marriott’s senior vice president of brand management. “Younger workers are changing the work dynamic. They are mobile and global, living lives untethered to the traditional work environment, and we are evolving with them.”
Workspace on Demand is a collaboration between Marriott and LiquidSpace, a mobile app that serves to connect people in search of workspaces and venues providing them.
“LiquidSpace is driven to find new ways to help professionals work smarter, and Marriott’s high quality workspaces and meeting rooms are an exciting addition to our growing marketplace,” said Mark Gilbreath, CEO & founder of LiquidSpace. “Companies are reducing their total real estate expense by moving away from fixed assets and individuals are enjoying more personal choice in where and how they work.”
Workspace on Demand is initially being tested at more than 30 Marriott, Renaissance and Courtyard hotels, primarily in the Washington DC and San Francisco areas.