While HHA is a marketing organization and does not have direct relationships with agents or agent groups, many member hotels are preferred suppliers, according to DiRienzo. “Our hotels,” he said, “are their own primary brand and we are a supplemental brand to help deliver to them the cultural and heritage traveler.”
DiRienzo pointed out that all agency consortia and networks websites ask consumers about their preferences – and those choices always include history, historic sites, archaeology and art. The consortia understand, he said, that “this is a viable and hot topic area. They then seek out our hotels to fulfill those niche experiences.”