Marriott International, claiming guest demand for newspapers had dropped about 25% at its 2,500 U.S. hotels, announced today it will become the first major hotel company to stop automatic newspaper delivery to guest rooms, shifting to a system based on customer preference.

"The company's 30 million Marriott Rewards members will be able to update their online profiles and receive their preferred newspaper automatically," the announcement added. "Guests who are not Rewards members will be asked for their preference at check-in. Guests will have a choice between USA TODAY, The Wall Street Journal, the local paper, or no paper."

"We want to give guests the choice of whether they want a newspaper or not," says Chairman and CEO J.W. Marriott, Jr. "I visit more than 250 hotels a year, and more often than not, I'm stepping over unclaimed newspapers as I walk down the hallway. This new program is more guest-focused."