Unfortunately, many Christians see other things competing with the Bible such as materials from other religions, media, or pornography. Phil Cooke, Television Producer and Media Strategist, Cooke Pictures, Los Angeles, California and Author of Branding Faith: Why Some Churches and Non-Profits Impact Culture and Others Don't from Regal Books said he believes the Bible should continued to be offered, but he has some concerns about the future.

“It's a wonderful concept, but in a pluralistic society, especially today, I can see a number of other religions demanding equal time. I travel about 150,000 miles a year, and in most hotels I already find a Book of Mormon next to the Bible. Before long, I predict we'll find a Koran, Tao, Torah, I Ching, Writings of Confucius, and more. Pretty soon, there won't be room for a bed,” Cooke said.

When Cooke is traveling, he said he takes his own copy of the Bible that is pretty worn but said, “Today, probably, not many” read the copies of the Bible that are available. “Sadly, I'm afraid the pornography available through the TV in hotels today is probably a much stronger force for most businessmen today. Plus, wireless Internet access is pretty tough competition as well.”

Solo artist and Blessid Union of Souls frontman Eliot Sloan also travels quite frequently. He said he regularly reads the Bibles that are made available in hotel and motel rooms, but he also takes his Bible on the road.

Sloan said it is “hard to say” how many people may read the Bibles provided in hotel and motel rooms but he said, “Probably more people read it than one may think.”

He believes the Bible should continue to be made available in hotel and motel guestrooms. “God’s Word is being snuffed out in so many other ways, it is important for it to be in as many places as possible,” Sloan said.

Cooke’s hope is that God’s message continues to reach people in relevant ways, “The truth is, putting Bibles in hotel rooms was a brilliant move for its time. It wasn't ‘in your face’ and yet it was a profound evangelism tool, which offered great comfort for millions of travelers. But that was then. The question is: What's a similar project for the digital age? As we move into what I call a ‘media-driven culture,’ how can we effectively present a message of hope to people today? Should we investigate a Christian TV channel? Online service? In-house hotel channel? How can we share our faith in a way that's as unobtrusive as those original Bibles, and yet reaches people during a desperate time? That's the question we should be asking.”

Sloan admits he would like to see the Bible make its way out of the nightstand and dresser drawers. “It would be nice if they were sitting out instead of in the drawers. People think Christians are trying to shove the Bible down their throats, but we just want people to have peace and eternal life. We’re trying to feed the world meat and vegetables and all that the world wants is dessert,” he said.

According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association, Gideon’s International placed their first Bible in the Superior Hotel in Montana in 1908.

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, a subsidiary of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), is an upscale hotel chain offers that offers hotel and resort accommodations throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean. We have a pretty even mix of leisure and business clientele. (www.wyndham.com)