IHG (InterContinental Hotels & Resorts), through the use of mobile solutions, has seen its monthly revenue of US$1 million jump to US$10 million in just over a year.
This success has prompted the hotel group to continue with its mobile app strategy with the introduction of iPhone booking apps for each of its seven brands – InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites®.
The new apps provide customers with the functionality to find and book hotel rooms, check rates and view or cancel reservations.
The iPhone apps follow the successful release of the InterContinental Concierge Insider Guides app for iPad in December 2010; the Priority Club® Rewards app for Android in July 2010; and the Priority Club Rewards app for iPhone in April 2010.
In just over a year, IHG has seen a nearly 1,000% increase in room night bookings from mobile devices. In the first five months of 2011 the number of room night bookings from mobile devices surpassed the 2010 total
About 65% of guest who book rooms at IHG hotels through a mobile device stay the same night or within one day. To cater to these guests the new booking apps for each of the seven brands also include location aware capabilities to assist guests in booking hotels close to their location and navigating to the property.
“We are continuing to build on our mobile strategy by making our brands more accessible to today’s travellers who seek solutions that assist them through every step of the travel planning process,” said Michael Menis, vice president, web and interactive marketing.
The booking and reservation management features of the iPhone apps include:
• Search, compare and book at IHG properties – InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites
• Plan arrival by accessing current reservations and quick access to maps, directions and hotel contact information
• Securely store credit card information to expedite bookings
• Enjoy “touch-to-call” access
• Manage travel profiles
• Receive communication about the latest promotions and offers Priority Club Rewards members have the ability to earn points and redeem for stays
• Enrol in Priority Club Rewards (membership is not required to use the apps)
The apps for each of its hotels brands are now available in English at the iPhone app store.
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