Holiday Inn branded booking app furthers hotelier's e-commerce strategy.
ATLANTA – IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) 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. Reservations also can be made worldwide by visiting ihg.com.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
