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RAHWAY, N.J. (SEPTEMBER 30, 2009) � From New York to Hong Kong and everywhere in between, those fortunate enough to continue traveling for business or leisure today have not cut back on the expectations they place on hotel accommodations or amenities. In fact, reports from Hotel Technologies, the leading worldwide manufacturer of award-winning iPhone�/iPod® accessories, state requests from hoteliers for its iHome� in-room digital alarm clock radio with iPhone/iPod docking/charging station are steady worldwide despite the economy. �Hotel Technologies has sold its products to virtually every major hotel chain around the world, including Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, Wynn, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Omni Hotels, MGM Grand, Choice and many others,� said Ely Ashkenazi, National Sales Manager for Hotel Technologies. �Several of these hotels feature iHome in their print ads, airport billboards, television commercials, online promos, room keys, and proprietary Web sites which has resulted in millions of impressions and heightened requests for accommodations in guestrooms with iHome. Likewise, it has greatly contributed to iHome�s brand equity and high consumer recognition rate. �Hotels request iHome because no other manufacturer puts three key characteristics all in one product�ease of use, attractive design, and alarm clock functionality,� he said. �Travelers choose iHome-equipped hotels because it conveys to them personalization and a sense that the hotel understands their unique needs. By giving travelers the ability to personalize their in-room music experience by playing their iPhone/iPod directly through the clock radio in the guestroom and allowing them to wake to favorite songs instead of alarm buzzers, we are helping them deliver a better guest-stay experience. And after all, isn�t that what each hotel � branded or independent � is striving for today?� Sales of iPod Strong, Despite Economy In a July 22 article released by the Associated Press titled �Apple 3Q beats forecast despite recession,� Shaw Wu, an analyst for Kaufman Bros. [in the article] wrote: "Times are tough. Apple continues to post pretty strong numbers. It's pretty incredible. It truly is." During its fiscal third quarter 2009 (ending June 27) it was reported that Apple Inc. sold more than 5.2 million iPhones, more than seven times what it sold in the 2008 quarter. iPod Touch sales more than doubled during Q3, with 10.2 million units sold during the quarter. �While sales of the iPod and iPhone truly are �incredible� amidst this economy as Wu noted, it�s even more incredible to think that some hotels are not prepared to welcome these millions of consumers who are part of the iPod generation,� Ashkenazi said. �In order to remain competitive and increase guest satisfaction, hotels need to offer an iPhone/iPod-compatible device in their guestrooms � or at the very least, make them MP3 compatible.� A fall 2008 Lodging Survey conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Assn., in conjunction with Smith Travel Research, revealed that 35 percent of 10,200 hotels that participated now offer iPod docking stations in their guestrooms (78 percent were upper upscale hotels and 58 percent were luxury properties). While that report won�t be updated until 2010 according to STR officials, based on its 2009 sales, Hotel Technologies estimates that 15 percent to 20 percent of the industry now provides iPod docking in its guestrooms, and the company expects that number to at least double by the end of 2010. For more information, go to www.hoteltechnologies.com or call, toll-free, (888) 74-HOTEL ? (888) 744-6835 ? or (732) 574-0117, extension 3-228.
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