Australian teenagers have opened up about what creates the perfect holiday, with Wi-Fi and quality family time making the list ahead of the summer break.

New research by Marriott Australia has found that access to Wi-Fi is now a must- have for the majority of Australian teens (61 per cent) while on holiday primarily to 'stay in touch with friends back home' (39 per cent) and to be able to share photos and updates across social media (34 per cent). Being near a beach is still really important to a third of Australian teens (34 per cent) but not as vital as an internet connection. On average, teenagers will spend three hours online while they're away, with older teens spending 30 minutes longer each time than their younger counterparts.

Other holiday must-haves to today's teenager included shopping (40 per cent), a room of their own (39 per cent) and taking part in activities that involve the whole family (38 per cent). Sibling harmony has also come out on top with a quarter of Australian teens (25 per cent) admitting they actually get along better with their brothers and sisters while they're away compared to when they're at home.

Marriott Australia asked 1,000 teenagers aged between 13 and 17 how involved they are in holiday planning. One in two (51 per cent) are likely to be involved in the decision making around holiday activities and a third contribute to dining recommendations (39 per cent).

When it comes to checking out a particular destination and all it has to offer, almost 90 per cent of teenagers took out some kind of online research before and during their family holiday. A third of teenagers (34 per cent) will do all of their research before departure and surf the internet for inspiration first (48 per cent) followed by seeking peer to peer recommendations (12 per cent) and then asking their network for their tips via social media (8 per cent).

The research comes following the launch of Marriott Australia's world-first This City My Way Teen Concierge program.

Today, Marriott Australia has appointed 17 year old Tom McNally from Brisbane and 16 year old Tom Blanche from Melbourne who join six other Teen Concierges from across Sydney city, greater Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. As part of their roles, these next generation travellers will continue to seek out the best places and hidden secrets in each city for visiting teens to experience.

Marriott Australia spokesperson Deborah McDiarmid said: "What this research tells us is that today's teenagers have an opinion when it comes to where they travel to on the next family holiday. Marriott knows Wi-Fi is important to all guests and that's why a free service is available in all of our hotels and despite what popular culture would have us believe, we can confirm teens do enjoy spending time with their family and also want to contribute to the holiday planning.

Marriott is fostering dialogue with travellers worldwide and seeking future-forward ideas that make travel brilliant. It was an Australian hotel guest seeking advice when travelling with a teen that discovered there were no online resources available to help.

Our properties saw an opportunity to provide a platform that encourages content co-creation where teens can and share their 'This City My Way' recommendations not just with their Australian peers, but also with young travellers from all around the world."

About This City My Way

Eight Australian teenagers from Melbourne, Sydney, the Gold Coast and Brisbane have been appointed by Marriott Australia as virtual Teen Concierges to share their locals-only insights with other young visitors to their city. Each Concierge creates original travel content and curates the best of social media, which will appear on a real-time City Guide with a local edge, found at  ThisCityMyWay.com.au and on Instagram @thiscitymyway.

Marriott Australia is the world's first group of hotels to draw teen-friendly recommendations from Instagram and a dedicated website and blog to help teenagers and their families during the school holidays.



For the full Marriott Australia report containing all research findings or to arrange an interview with Marriott Australia's teen concierges or Marriott Australia spokesperson Deborah McDiarmid, please contact Klick Communications:

Alice Dodge: alice@klick.com.au / 0413 030 780

Margarita Peker: margarita@klick.com.au / 0414 438 870

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 3,800 properties in 74 countries and territories and reported revenues of nearly $12 billion in fiscal year 2012. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands, including Marriott Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Bulgari, EDITION, Renaissance, Gaylord Hotels, Autograph Collection, AC Hotels by Marriott, Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Marriott Executive Apartments, Marriott Vacation Club, Grand Residences by Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club. There are approximately 325,000 employees at headquarters, managed and franchised properties. Marriott is consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business operations, which it conducts based on five core values: put people first, pursue excellence, embrace change, act with integrity, and serve our world. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at  www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

Marriott International hotels in Australia:

•     Courtyard by Marriott North Ryde

•     Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel

•     Melbourne Marriott Hotel

•     Brisbane Marriott Hotel

•     Surfers Paradise Marriott