Liverpool hoteliers back scheme for free Wi-Fi

Hoteliers in Liverpool are backing an initiative for all hotels in the city to offer free Wi-Fi for guests in bedrooms.

The scheme, led by the Liverpool Hoteliers' Association, aims to make the city more attractive to associations, conferences and residential events. It is targeting all hotels within the city and wider region and has already signed up 25 independent and branded properties.

Many hotels in Liverpool already offer complimentary Wi-Fi in public areas and nearly all have some form of paid-for Wi-Fi service in guest bedrooms.

Supported by the Liverpool Convention Bureau and the Mersey Partnership's Visitor Economy Committee (VEC), the initiative is the brainchild of Robert Nadler, chief executive of the base2stay hotel group.

"To drive business for the visitor economy, we need to be constantly thinking ahead, just as Liverpool has always done," Nadler said. "Wi-Fi has gone from being an optional extra to an essential utility, especially for business travellers. The VEC is working closely with business leaders to encourage as many hotels as possible across the city region to join the scheme, which will further illustrate that the city is one of the leading convention and tourist destinations in the UK".

The proposal aims to attract more mid-week corporate and conference clients as well as large-scale conference and congress delegates.

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By Janet Harmer

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