IHG Becomes First Global Hotel Company to Launch App for Windows 8
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IHG Becomes First Global Hotel Company to Launch App for Windows 8
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Category: Worldwide - Exclusive experiences
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This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2012-11-29
Holiday Inn branded booking app furthers hotelier’s e-commerce strategy
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world’s leading global hotel companies, today announced that its Holiday Inn brand is marking another innovative first by becoming the first major hotel brand to launch a travel app for Windows 8 – the newest version of the Windows operating platform for a variety of PCs and tablet devices. Holiday Inn is the world’s largest upper midscale hotel brand by number of rooms. The new app allows guests to find and book rooms at any Holiday Inn hotel, as well as at the more than 4,500 IHG hotels worldwide, including the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites brands. Through the app’s tile on the Start screen, guests can directly search for hotels; see property photo galleries and descriptions; and view existing reservations. Priority Club Rewards members also can view their status and check their points balance.
“Holiday Inn has transformed the hospitality industry with its innovative and modern approach to guest services, and has a rich heritage of firsts in the industry, so it was a natural fit for our first app for Windows 8 to be rolled out with this industry-leading brand,” said Michael Menis, vice president, Web and Interactive Marketing, IHG.
The Holiday Inn app for Windows 8 is available for free download, with no hidden costs, from the Windows Store. The new app builds upon IHG’s success in developing innovative, consumer-facing technology that facilitates guests’ access to e-commerce tools for hotel stays.
“Developing an easy-to-use e-commerce app furthers our commitment to identifying and leveraging emerging technology to drive satisfaction for our guests, while optimizing revenue delivery for our hotels,” Menis added.
“Microsoft app developers have always provided rich functionality and value for our shared customers, and Windows 8 gives them the platform to deliver.” said John Richards, senior director of Windows App Marketing for Microsoft Corp. “The re-imagining of Windows keeps our app developers ahead of the competition and gives our shared customers flexibility and choice.”
In 2011, the Priority Club Rewards app for Windows Phone was introduced as yet another first for the hotel industry on a Microsoft platform. IHG continues to expand the breadth of its customized products for existing and emerging web and mobile platforms, creating relevant e-commerce tools for the more than 69 million loyal Priority Club members worldwide and all guests who prefer to stay with the IHG family of brands.
Apps for IHG’s existing hotel brands and Priority Club Rewards loyalty program are also available for iPhone, iPad, Android, BlackBerry, and Kindle Fire.
About the Holiday Inn brand
With over 1,200 hotels worldwide, Holiday Inn is the most widely recognized lodging brand in the world. In fact, Holiday Inn was one of the first international hotel brands to establish a presence in China in 1984. Holiday Inn provides the services that business travelers need, while also offering a comfortable atmosphere where all people can relax and enjoy amenities such as restaurants and room service, swimming pools, fitness centers and comfortable lounges. The casual atmosphere and amenities such as meeting and on-site business facilities, KidSuites rooms and, Kids Eat and Stay Free programs, demonstrate the long-standing commitment of Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Resort to serving travelers and have helped to establish the brand as “America’s Favorite Hotel.” And now, Holiday Inn is ranked Highest in Guest Satisfaction Among Mid-scale Full Service Hotel Chains, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 and 2012 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study.
About IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group)
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global organization with nine hotel brands including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites, EVEN Hotels and HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts. IHG also manages Priority Club Rewards, the world’s first and largest hotel loyalty program with over 69 million members worldwide.
IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns over 4,500 hotels and more than 672,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories. With more than 1,000 hotels in its development pipeline, IHG expects to recruit around 90,000 people into additional roles across its estate over the next few years.
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group’s holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.
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