Poll Shows Professional Golfers Are The Ultimate Business Travelers

ATLANTA, May 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- From professional golfers to caddies to tournament staffers, the golf community is comprised of seasoned business travelers. Results released today by the Crowne Plaza^® Hotels & Resorts brand reveal that PGA TOUR golfers travel on average more than 44,000 miles per year for tournament activity, equating to almost two round the world trips^[1].

Ahead of the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, Crowne Plaza^® Hotels & Resorts, in partnership with the PGA TOUR, investigated player travel activity and polled more than 70 golfers across the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Web.com Tour to uncover their travel-related habits and preferences.

Results revealed that more than half (56 percent) of golfers across the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour or Web.com Tour are on the road for work – either for tournament play or sponsor obligations – at least 150 nights per year, with 22 percent amassing more than 200 nights on the road.

The poll also revealed that staying connected while on the road for work was important for players. Complimentary Wi-Fi, now standard at all Crowne Plaza hotels, was a key priority with 86 percent of players polled marking this as one of the most important things a hotel can offer them.

PGA TOUR professional golfer and Crowne Plaza brand ambassador Rickie Fowler is one of the sport's most avid business travelers, having competed in 24 tournaments last year and racking up more than 72,000 miles in 2013 (PGA TOUR events and sponsor obligations).

"I'm really not much different from the average business traveler. I just happen to do my work on a golf course," said Fowler. "With limited opportunities during the day, I like to check my email, stay up to date with the latest news and connect with fans on social media when I get back to my hotel, and the free Wi-Fi at Crowne Plaza hotels makes it easy for me to connect quickly on the road."

In addition to complimentary Wi-Fi, Crowne Plaza hotels in the Americas are rolling out several new features designed to empower ambitious, career-focused travelers, centered on three key areas: Connectivity, Wellness and Productivity. New technology offers single Internet sign-on, free and reliable Wi-Fi, one-click secure wireless printing and easy access to power outlets and charging cords, ensuring guests are "always on." Guests can stay healthy and re-energize with healthy snacks and drinks for purchase and complimentary fresh water for the essential pick-me-up. Hotels also have the option to offer run stations providing local running routes and towels.

"Our guests want an environment where they can be productive while on the road for work," said Gina LaBarre, vice president, Americas brand management, Crowne Plaza, IHG. "When they're traveling thousands of miles a year, whether they're a professional golfer or a more typical business traveler, our guests need a hotel where they can easily focus on getting their work done, and that's what we offer at Crowne Plaza hotels."

Other notable findings from the player poll reveal:

• 92 percent of respondents travel with a smart phone; 73 percent travel with a tablet and 58 percent with a laptop while on the road for work
• 97 percent of respondents use hotel Wi-Fi multiple times per day while 100 percent said they use it at least once a day
• Being professional athletes, 58 percent of respondents stated that the ability to continue their fitness routine is most essential in helping maintain a health and fitness regimen while on the road.

IHG, the parent company of the Crowne Plaza brand, is the Official Hotel and Resort Partner of the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Web.com Tour. The 2014 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial will be held May 19-25 at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. The Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial is the longest running PGA TOUR tournament still being held at the original site.

About the PGA TOUR player poll
The Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts brand, in partnership with the PGA TOUR, investigated player travel activity across 2013 and polled more than 73 golfers from the PGA TOUR (24), Champions Tour (25) and Web.com Tour (24). Results were evaluated by Research+Data Insights.

About Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts
Part of the IHG global portfolio, the Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts brand is a dynamic upscale hotel brand located in nearly 65 countries around the world in major urban centers, gateway cities and resort destinations. As the fourth largest upscale full-service hotel brand in the world and one of the fastest growing, the Crowne Plaza brand has a solid foundation for future growth. The portfolio has doubled since 2003 to nearly 400 hotels, and the global pipeline has increased fourfold to nearly 100 hotels. At Crowne Plaza hotels, we help our guests feel energized and productive, with 24-hour business services, wireless Internet access in the lobby, and fitness and leisure facilities. Our Sleep Advantage® program ensures our guests get a great night's sleep to power through their day. For reservations at Crowne Plaza properties, visit www.crowneplaza.com or call 1-800-2CROWNE. Connect with us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/crowneplaza or Facebook: www.Facebook.com/crowneplaza.

About IHG
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global organization with a broad portfolio of nine hotel brands, including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, Candlewood Suites®, EVEN™ Hotels and HUALUXE® Hotels and Resorts.IHG manages IHG® Rewards Club, the world's first and largest hotel loyalty program with nearly 79 million members worldwide. The program was relaunched in July 2013, offering enhanced benefits for members including free internet across all hotels, globally.

IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns over 4,700 hotels and 688,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories, with more than 1,100 hotels in its development pipeline. 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.ihgrewardsclub.com for more on IHG Rewards Club. For our latest news, visit: www.ihg.com/media, www.twitter.com/ihg, www.facebook.com/ihg or www.youtube.com/ihgplc.

^[1] The equatorial circumference of the Earth is 24,873.6 miles. This is how many miles the Earth is around. (NASA)

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SOURCE InterContinental Hotels Group