US hotels aim to stand out with local art

New York

SEEKING to appeal to guests' desire for new experiences and stand out in a competitive market, hotel brand managers are mining their local art communities for everything from inspiration to installations. "I think the travellers today are exposed to more," said Dan Vinh, vice-president for global marketing of Marriott's lifestyle portfolio. "When they travel, they want an experience that they can talk about, that they can bring back and share stories about."

Even young adults looking for a cheap place to stay and business travellers looking for a place to recharge themselves and their devices overnight have higher expectations. The evolution in how managers view hotel artwork is similar to the shift towards showcasing more local ingredients in hotel restaurants, Mr Vinh said.