IHG unveils corp program

THE InterContinental Hotels Group (IGH) has launched its new corporate program IHG Business Edge, aimed at small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

In development for the past year, IHG says its new platform has been developed based on the insights of 2,100 global SME customers, and then piloted with 300 companies across 17 countries.

About 1,500 companies have signed up prior to launch, with IHG saying the offering streamlines the negotiation process, rewards loyalty and consolidates data and booking into one customer portal.

“We knew that there was an unmet need for a travel buying program specifically designed for SMEs – a group of customers who can often be underserved by the industry,” said IHG svp of global sales Derek DeCross.

“We worked together with SMEs to design the program and they told us that a discount program alone is not compelling enough to drive their loyalty and engagement,” he said.

“They didn’t want lengthy negotiations - but rather a rich discount they could count on, reliable reporting and insight into the latest information, as well as access to a diverse corporate network of other similar organisations.”

IHG Business Edge is open to companies with fewer than 250 employees and up to US$50 million in revenue, that spend at least $5,000 annually with IHG.

Discounted rates are offered at participating hotels across IHG’s stable of more than 5,400 properties and 15 brands, including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts and Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants.