Global Smoke-Free Hospitality

Recent Study Finds European Prefer Smokefree Hotels

This year’s J. D. Power & Associates European Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study  revealed that 69 percent of hotel guests across Europe prefer a nonsmoking environment, not far off from the 79 percent of hotel guests in North America wanting smoke-free hotels.

The lowest group to support smoke-free hotels was 57 percent of the guests who live in Spain, and the highest group to endorse no-smoking hotels was 76 percent of British and Swedish travelers.

As quoted in this November 2006 New York Times article

 

November 5, 2006

Study Finds That Europeans Prefer Smoke-Free Hotels

 

By JENNIFER CONLIN

   

 

Gone are the days of joking that the two seating sections in French public spaces are “smoking” and “chain smoking.” A recent survey of more than 12,000 hotel guests in Europe found that nearly 72 percent of French hotel guests now prefer a smoke-free environment, even beyond their room, suggesting that the French may embrace their planned 2008 smoking ban.

This year’s J. D. Power & Associates European Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study also revealed that 69 percent of hotel guests across Europe prefer a nonsmoking environment, not far off from the 79 percent of hotel guests in North America wanting smoke-free hotels. The lowest group to support smoke-free hotels was 57 percent of the guests who live in Spain, and the highest group to endorse no-smoking hotels was 76 percent of British and Swedish travelers.

According to Linda Hirneise, executive director of J. D. Power’s global travel practice, Power decided to add the question to the survey, wondering if a preference for smoke-free hotels might be emerging in Europe, given that both the Marriott and Westin Hotels and Resorts have adopted smoke-free environments in the United States and in Canada.

“We expected the number to be much lower than 69 percent,” Ms. Hirneise said, adding that she suspected that an American brand, such as Starwood, might now feel comfortable leading the way toward European smoke-free hotels. “The problem is that conference planners in Europe are still feeling cautious about not letting people smoke,” Ms. Hirneise said. “Maybe this survey will help change their minds.”

   

April 27, 2007 | Permalink

 

November 5, 2006

Study Finds That Europeans Prefer Smoke-Free Hotels

 

By JENNIFER CONLIN

   

 

Gone are the days of joking that the two seating sections in French public spaces are “smoking” and “chain smoking.” A recent survey of more than 12,000 hotel guests in Europe found that nearly 72 percent of French hotel guests now prefer a smoke-free environment, even beyond their room, suggesting that the French may embrace their planned 2008 smoking ban.

This year’s J. D. Power & Associates European Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study also revealed that 69 percent of hotel guests across Europe prefer a nonsmoking environment, not far off from the 79 percent of hotel guests in North America wanting smoke-free hotels. The lowest group to support smoke-free hotels was 57 percent of the guests who live in Spain, and the highest group to endorse no-smoking hotels was 76 percent of British and Swedish travelers.

According to Linda Hirneise, executive director of J. D. Power’s global travel practice, Power decided to add the question to the survey, wondering if a preference for smoke-free hotels might be emerging in Europe, given that both the Marriott and Westin Hotels and Resorts have adopted smoke-free environments in the United States and in Canada.

“We expected the number to be much lower than 69 percent,” Ms. Hirneise said, adding that she suspected that an American brand, such as Starwood, might now feel comfortable leading the way toward European smoke-free hotels. “The problem is that conference planners in Europe are still feeling cautious about not letting people smoke,” Ms. Hirneise said. “Maybe this survey will help change their minds.”

As quoted in this November 2006 New York Times article

 

November 5, 2006

Study Finds That Europeans Prefer Smoke-Free Hotels

 

By JENNIFER CONLIN

   

 

Gone are the days of joking that the two seating sections in French public spaces are “smoking” and “chain smoking.” A recent survey of more than 12,000 hotel guests in Europe found that nearly 72 percent of French hotel guests now prefer a smoke-free environment, even beyond their room, suggesting that the French may embrace their planned 2008 smoking ban.

This year’s J. D. Power & Associates European Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study also revealed that 69 percent of hotel guests across Europe prefer a nonsmoking environment, not far off from the 79 percent of hotel guests in North America wanting smoke-free hotels. The lowest group to support smoke-free hotels was 57 percent of the guests who live in Spain, and the highest group to endorse no-smoking hotels was 76 percent of British and Swedish travelers.

According to Linda Hirneise, executive director of J. D. Power’s global travel practice, Power decided to add the question to the survey, wondering if a preference for smoke-free hotels might be emerging in Europe, given that both the Marriott and Westin Hotels and Resorts have adopted smoke-free environments in the United States and in Canada.

“We expected the number to be much lower than 69 percent,” Ms. Hirneise said, adding that she suspected that an American brand, such as Starwood, might now feel comfortable leading the way toward European smoke-free hotels. “The problem is that conference planners in Europe are still feeling cautious about not letting people smoke,” Ms. Hirneise said. “Maybe this survey will help change their minds.”

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