Hilton today announced two new digital innovations designed to create a more seamless travel experience for small and medium-sized businesses. The innovations are part of Hilton’s long-term commitment to digitally transform the business travel experience from booking to billing for the millions of small and medium-sized enterprises representing the backbone of the global economy and comprising roughly 85 percent of Hilton’s business transient guests.
The initiatives, which will launch by early next year, includes Hilton for Business, a multi-faceted program, currently in a test process with select customer.
Small and medium businesses that join Hilton for Business will gain access to a discounted rate on Hilton.com and the Hilton Honors app across Hilton’s global portfolio of more than 7,000 properties.
To recognise loyalty, the businesses will earn Hilton Honors Bonus Points for program registration and travel milestones. Hilton Honors members will continue to earn Points each time they stay.
Hilton for Business registration is built to enable quick and seamless enrollment for businesses online without complicated forms or processes.
In addition to enabling travellers to easily book discounted rates, each Hilton for Business program account can be set up with varying permissions across a designated team. Business owners will have full control – or can delegate to others on their team – over the program management system built to be simple and intuitive with tools and resources.
To support the growing demand for in-person gatherings, Hilton is expanding its events booking capabilities, enabling customers shopping for meeting packages for up to 35 attendees to book guest rooms and meetings or event spaces, with or without 10 to 25 guest rooms, directly on Events.Hilton.com without a separate contract or phone call. This enhancement is especially valuable to small and medium-sized businesses planning small in-person meetings and events quickly without staff or third-party support.
“Even as the global pandemic significantly impacted global travel, small- and medium-sized business travellers never slowed down,” said Chris Silcock, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Hilton.
“We used that opportunity to listen and learn how to solve long-running pain points and deliver what these businesses need most - simple booking and travel management tools and recognition and rewards for their loyalty.”
“Hilton for Business is an outstanding benefit for smaller companies to manage their travel programs,” said Patrick LaCava, executive vice president of operations at Syufy Enterprises, one of the select Hilton customers currently testing and refining the program.
“It offers a cost-effective hotel program for our business travellers, providing an excellent discount while still earning Points for our travellers and company.”
