Marriott Takes Down “Offensive” Ad
Jesse Tabit September 02, 2015
In light of upsetting a group of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), Marriott International has taken down an “offensive” YouTube video advertisement that urged travelers to make direct bookings. The video — titled “Scenic Route” — sees comedian Grace Helbig helping a vacationing couple find their destination even though a gas station employee insists the two take a scenic route to get there. Zane Kerby, ASTA’s CEO, said called the video “disparaging to travel agents” and “misleading to the traveling public.”
Though Marriott said the message was just creating awareness of their site to inform customers who choose to make their own reservations, the company did meet with the group to discuss their concerns, and, ultimately, make the decision to pull the video. According to Brian King, Marriott’s global officer of sales and brand management, the video “was never intended to offend anyone.”
For more information on this story, visit Travel Weekly.
[Photo: Marriott International]
Under no circumstances would I not book directly with my airline and hotel. That way, I am in charge, not a third-party web page over which I have no control. Never miss an opportunity to make others happy, even if you have to leave them alone in order to do it. ~Author Unknown