IHG Shows Its Support For Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs And Road Warriors

ATLANTA, April 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) one of the world's largest hotel companies today announced the launch of its "Travel Bonus" promotion, designed to help small business owners and their employees save on travel costs.  U.S. residents planning to travel between April 16, 2012 and Aug. 2, 2012, will receive a $50 prepaid card when they stay two consecutive weekday (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) nights at any of IHG's 4,400 hotels worldwide, including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Holiday Inn®, Holiday Inn® Club Vacations, Holiday Inn® Express, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites®. 

Support for Small Businesses

Travel is currently top of mind for small business owners across the country. A recent survey[*] found that travel services are among the top purchases that small business owners plan to make in 2012, with more than half of survey respondents planning to book a hotel stay for their travel needs.

"We realize that travel is an important part of making connections for small business owners and their employees," said Wayne Hamilton, Marketing Director of U.S. Business Travel, IHG. "We developed 'Travel Bonus' to help lessen the impact of travel costs on a small businesses' bottom line while ensuring a comfortable stay with trusted hotel brands."

Helping small businesses is also on the country's social agenda. The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS Act) that was passed this month brought the importance of financially supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs into the national spotlight.

National Small Business Week Conference

IHG is even further deepening its commitment to the small business community by co-sponsoring the U.S. Small Business Administration's National Small Business Week conference, taking place in Washington, D.C. from May 20-22, 2012. IHG will host a special dinner reception for award winners at the U.S. Department of State on May 21, 2012 and Wayne Hamilton, Marketing Director of U.S. Business Travel at IHG will be one of the guest speakers for the event.   A full schedule at the National Small Business Week conference can be found here.

Helping All Travelers Save

Anyone who stays two consecutive weekday nights at an IHG property can sign up for the "Travel Bonus" promotion. IHG's cash back rewards from "Travel Bonus" can be spent however the traveler chooses, such as:

• Future hotel stays
• Meals for meetings with business associates and potential clients
• Travel costs associated with car rentals, checked baggage, wi-fi access, airfare and other travel expenses
• Gas for the next road trip, be it for work or play

IHG's "Travel Bonus" promotion is valid for U.S. residents only and redeemable for a maximum reward of $200 per traveler. For more information about "Travel Bonus" and to book accommodations, visit www.ihg.com/get50.

Notes to Editors:

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)] is a global organization with nine hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, Candlewood Suites®, as well as our two newest brands, EVEN™ Hotels and HUALUXE™ Hotels & Resorts. IHG also manages Priority Club® Rewards, the world's first and largest hotel loyalty program with over 63 million members worldwide.

IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns over 4,400 hotels and more than 658,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories, and has more than 1,100 hotels in its development pipeline. 

IHG expects to recruit around 90,000 new people worldwide across its estate over the next few years and is committed to gender balance throughout its business. We aspire to continue retaining a minimum of 25% female representation on the Board.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.

Visit www.ihg.com for hotel information and reservations and www.priorityclub.com for more on Priority Club Rewards. For our latest news, visit www.ihg.com/media, www.twitter.com/ihgplc or www.youtube.com/ihgplc.

[*] The survey, sponsored by RapidBuyr (a B2B daily deals service), was conducted among 2,000 customers in November and December 2011.

SOURCE IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group)