InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has launched its first store on the Chinese leading OTA (Online Travel Agent) platform in partnership with Ctrip, part of Trip.com Group. The launch of the flagship store marks IHG’s strategy in localization as a global company.
The start of the online store optimizes IHG’s digital distribution channel to meet the needs of digitally savvy Chinese consumers. With the new partnership, both the companies will collaborate their membership systems to enhance the experiences and benefits for their loyalty members. The store will enable guests to search, browse and book rooms from over 460 IHG hotels in Greater China. Moreover, Trip.com Group members can register with IHG’s loyalty programme and enjoy member rates, stay points and other benefits.
The partnership between two top players in the travel industry shows positive signs of lodging demand recovery in China post Covid-19. Over our 36 years of operation in China, we have and will continue to build an ‘in China for China’ business, focused on evolving Chinese consumer expectations. We are looking forward to better leveraging the resources from both sides, providing more guests with convenient booking experience, a richer range of benefits as well as our True Hospitality.”
Jolyon Bulley, Chief Executive Officer for IHG Greater China
In addition to the online store, both companies will launch direct membership matching, where Ctrip Diamong and higher tier members can apply to become an IHG Rewards Club Gold Elite Member. After completing a certain qualifying spend through the online store, members will be upgraded to an IHG Rewards Club Platinum Elite Member.
We are delighted to work with IHG, as part of this win-win collaboration further enriching the travel experience for our customers. This partnership also reflects our continuous efforts to deliver a pleasant, seamless and efficient travel experience.”
Ray Chen, Chief Executive Officer for Accommodation Business at Trip.com Group
InterContinental Hotels Group is a leading global organisation with a vast portfolio of hotel brands. The company franchises, leases, manages or owns almost 5,800 hotels and approximately 865,000 guest rooms in over 100 countries across the world. This includes Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Regent Hotels and Resorts, InterContinental hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts, etc. IHG also manages the global loyalty programme IHG Rewards Club comprising over 100 million members.
