Travel in Bangkok’s famed tuk tuk to make a wish at Thailand’s oldest Indian temple with Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas; enjoy a rooftop vodka tasting in Russia with Kempinski Hotels; an aroma facial in Australia with Mirvac Hotels; or cycle along the Yangtze River in China with Marco Polo Hotels. Whether your business meeting breaks early or you have a couple of hours to spare before heading to the airport, there are approximately 100 speedy experiences for the fashionable, the foodie, the history buff and outdoorsman.

Each “Experience Express” activity was designed by the local hotel to provide exclusive access to cultural and off-the-beaten path activities in 2 hours or less. The GHA Discovery programme also focuses on delivering a heightened level of personalised service while still honouring loyalty programme benefits provided by its participating brands.

“I travel all the time myself, so I can relate to the traveller who wants to take advantage of a bit of spare time on a business trip,” said Chris Hartley, CEO of the Global Hotel Alliance. “GHA Discovery’s Experience Express was built to offer fun and fascinating local experiences so that business travellers don’t need to go home, like they so often do, having seen no more than an airport terminal, a hotel and an office ”

The Experience Express awards vary by membership level – the higher the membership level, the more exclusive the reward. Of course, beyond the Local Experiences, members will also enjoy numerous benefits during their hotel stays:

GOLD (From enrolment to nine nights)

• Membership profile of preferences
• A Gold Level Local Experience after first stay at a GHA brand
• Complimentary newspaper
• Complimentary Internet access
• Complimentary bottled water

PLATINUM (10 to 29 nights)
Gold Level privileges, plus:

• A Platinum Level Local Experience
• Upgrade to next room category
• Late check-out until 3pm
• Guaranteed room availability 48-hours prior to arrival
• Local amenity

BLACK (30 or more nights)
Platinum Level privileges, plus:

• A Black Level Local Experience
• Double room upgrade
• Early check-in from 9am and late check-out until 6pm
• Guaranteed room availability 24 hours prior to arrival
• Personal choice of local amenity
• Local brand benefit (such as access to Executive Lounges, laundry service and more).

“Whether our guests at Anantara are staying for an extended period or just a short break, one aspect remains the same: a commitment to providing the sophisticated traveler with an unrivalled destination experience,” explains Senior Vice President, Anantara, Peter Carmichael. “An experience that integrates an indigenous feel with every conceivable modern convenience, creating a serene, gracious and comfortable environment peppered with true local flavor and destination experiences.”