IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) today announced that it’ll be providing free internet to all its 71m loyalty programme members, worldwide. The announcement comes as IHG reveals the result of a worldwide online survey* which show that almost 1/2 adults (43%) would select to not stay in a hotel that charged for internet.
IHG is the primary and only hotel group to provide free internet in all hotels to all loyalty programme members, globally – whether or not they stay the night or are available for a coffee or an impromptu meeting. It’s going to benefit millions of guests globally as IHG has the main rooms and is in additional countries than anyone of the opposite four largest hotel companies on this planet**. This may start from July 2013 for Elite members and extend to all members during 2014.
The move comes as IHG announces that it’ll be enhancing and renaming its industry-leading loyalty programme Priority Club® Rewards as IHG Rewards Club in July and introducing a number of new benefits for members.
Richard Solomons, Chief Executive, IHG, said:
“In today’s fast-paced world, we all know that travellers should stay connected and free internet access is increasingly important. i’m proud that IHG is the primary hotel company to present free internet globally to all our loyalty programme members.
“2013 marks 10 years since IHG became a standalone company. Whilst we’re relatively young as a business, our brands, inclusive of Holiday Inn and InterContinental, have a deep history and a strong heritage and are instantly recognised by millions all over the world.
“Renaming our industry-leading loyalty programme as IHG Rewards Club may help our guests remember that all our brands are section of a similar IHG brand family.
“Whether this can be a business stop-over or a family holiday, our guests can select from greater than 4,600 hotels in nearly 100 countries and territories, secure within the knowledge that every carries the IHG badge of responsibility, trust and confidence that they could depend on.”
Internet access is increasingly important to hotel guests and a key consideration when planning their hotel stays. New research* commissioned by IHG reveals that:
* 43% of adults surveyed said that they’d choose to not stay in a hotel that charged for internet.
* 23% of respondents said that free internet in rooms and within the hotel is the main amenity when staying in a hotel for business, in comparison to * 7% who chose room service.
* Travellers from China placed one of the most importance on online connectivity – with nearly half (47%) listing it because the most vital thing to them when staying in a hotel for business, followed by those from Russia (26%), the u. s. (23%) and India (22%).
* Travellers from the united kingdom (18%) and the usa (14%) both listed buying internet because the second most disturbing thing when staying at a hotel after noisy guests (22% and 24% respectively).
Globally, more female respondents (14%) say free internet within the hotel is fundamental to them when staying for leisure, in comparison with 2% who listed having an in-room hairdryer.
IHG Rewards Club, formerly Priority Club Rewards, is the world’s first and biggest hotel loyalty programme, providing existing, industry-leading benefits including points that never expire, no blackout dates for Reward Nights, flight rewards, music downloads and free nights at any IHG hotel anywhere on earth.
From July, new benefits will include:
* free internet to all Elite status members from July 2013 and lengthening to all members during 2014;
* the facility to earn Elite status faster by staying in three or more of IHG’s hotel brands;
* Reward Nights will count toward earning Elite status; and
* Platinum Elite members’ “extra” nights will roll over toward maintaining their status of their next membership year
Booking directly with IHG provides guests with access to the precise available rates through our ‘Best Price Guarantee’ and ensures they qualify to earn points for his or her IHG Rewards Club account.
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