Emirates and IHG Hotels & Resorts Agree to Collaborate, Offering Rewards and Incentives to Boost Small Business Travel
In a groundbreaking move, Emirates and IHG Hotels & Resorts have joined forces to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) globally. The collaboration aims to combine Emirates' extensive global connectivity with IHG's vast hospitality network, delivering targeted, strategic value for business travellers worldwide [1].
The focus of this partnership is offering value-added travel benefits, rewards, and seamless hotel integration for SME business travellers. This partnership promises to simplify travel management, enhance rewards, and provide a smooth transition between flights and hotel stays [1].
For SME business travellers, this collaboration brings integrated loyalty programs, merging Emirates Skywards and IHG One Rewards. This means travellers can earn and redeem points across both flight and hotel services, unlocking benefits such as flight discounts, upgrades, free hotel nights, early check-ins, late check-outs, and club lounge access [1][3][5].
SMEs will now have access to business-friendly amenities, priority bookings, and personalised services usually reserved for large corporations. This end-to-end travel experience, covering everything from flight to accommodation, is designed to enhance employee travel comfort and efficiency while reducing operational complexities [1][3].
The partnership also leverages Emirates’ global flight network and IHG’s extensive hotel portfolio (over 6,000 hotels worldwide) to offer SMEs expansive choices and opportunities to grow globally with optimised travel benefits [3][5].
Mark Sergot, the SVP Global Sales at IHG, and Ryan Plemmons, the VP of Global Sales Strategy at IHG, emphasised the joint commitment to redefining SME business travel [2]. Nabil Sultan, the Executive VP for Passenger Sales and Country Management at Emirates, was also present at the signing ceremony [2].
The partnership aligns with both companies' efforts to expand their SME customer base. Emirates is committed to supporting SMEs due to their key role in job creation and economic growth. The collaboration is intended to empower businesses through enhanced experiences and growth opportunities [2].
[1] Emirates and IHG Hotels & Resorts Partner to Support SMEs [2] Emirates and IHG Hotels & Resorts Sign MoU to Explore Collaborative Programs [3] Emirates and IHG Hotels & Resorts to Offer Enhanced Business Travel Solutions for SMEs [4] Emirates and IHG Hotels & Resorts Partner to Empower Businesses Globally [5] Emirates and IHG Hotels & Resorts Collaborate to Simplify Business Travel for SMEs
- By combining their resources in the business, finance, and hospitality industry, this collaboration between Emirates and IHG Hotels & Resorts aims to provide SME business travellers with seamless travel solutions, enhancing rewards, streamlining travel management, and offering integrated loyalty programs with unique benefits.
- Through their strategic alliance, Emirates and IHG Hotels & Resorts are committed to expanding their reach within the SME sector, with the intention of redefining SME business travel, offering optimized travel benefits, and empowering businesses by providing them with opportunities for global growth.
