Productivity Reaches an All-Time High: Business Travelers Explore, Unwind and Take in the Local Culture With New GHA Discovery "Experience Express" Activities

IRVING, Texas, May 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The traveler who zoomed past you with Fast Track tickets to the London Eye advanced in the queue thanks to membership in GHA Discovery – the new global hotel loyalty program delivering unique recognition and experience-based rewards.  Following GHA Discovery's successful launch a few months ago, the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) and Omni Hotels & Resorts now announce GHA Discovery "Experience Express" activities designed for the time-challenged traveler.

Customize Lucchese cowboy boots with Omni Hotels in Austin, TX; enjoy a rooftop vodka tasting in Russia or boxing matches ringside in Thailand with Kempinski Hotels; experience an aroma facial in Australia with Mirvac Hotels; or cycle along the Yangtze River in China with Marco Polo Hotels.  Whether your business meeting breaks early or you have a couple of hours to spare, there are approximately 100 speedy experiences for the fashionable, the foodie, the history buff and the outdoorsman.

GHA Discovery was announced in March as the first guest loyalty program to unite 12 independent hotel brands - members of the world's largest hotel alliance - comprised of nearly 300 luxury hotels and resorts across the globe.  The program is focused on delivering a heightened level of personalized service during each stay, not points, while also rewarding members with one-of-a-kind "Local Experiences."  The "Local Experiences" provide exclusive access to more than 1000 exceptional activities around the world.  "Experience Express" activities are a new category of "Local Experiences" recently created by the hotel teams to provide cultural, off-the-beaten path experiences which take approximately two hours or less.

"It can be difficult to carve out time to experience some local culture on a business trip," said Mike Deitemeyer, president of Omni Hotels & Resorts.  "GHA Discovery's 'Experience Express' activities are designed to enable our loyalty program members to return home having seen more than an airport and office building."

The "Experience Express" rewards vary by membership level; the higher the membership level, the more exclusive the award.  Beyond the "Local Experiences," member will enjoy numerous benefits during their stay.  Loyalty program members staying at an Omni will also receive equivalent level Select Guest loyalty program benefits:

GOLD (From enrollment to nine nights)

• Membership profile of preferences
• Choice of Gold Level "Local Experience" after first stay at a GHA brand
• Choice of complimentary newspaper
• Complimentary Internet access
• Complimentary bottled water
• Omni's Select Guest benefits also provide complimentary pressing of two items, morning beverage of choice delivered to the guest room and shoe shine along with the ability to earn free nights for stays to be redeemed at any Omni Hotel or Resort

PLATINUM (10 to 29 nights)
Gold Level privileges, plus:

• Choice of Platinum Level "Local Experience"
• Upgrade to next room category at check-in
• Late check-out until 3pm
• Guaranteed room availability 48-hours prior to arrival
• Local amenity
• Omni's Select Guest benefits also provide exclusive concierge services, administrative business assistance and a sweet, local favorite prepared by the chef and delivered at evening turndown

BLACK (30 or more nights)
Platinum Level privileges, plus:

• Choice of Black Level "Local Experience"
• Double upgrade at check-in
• Early check-in beginning at 9am and late check-out until 6pm
• Guaranteed room availability 24 hours prior to arrival
• Personal choice of local amenity
• Local brand benefits (such as access to Executive Lounges, laundry service and more)
• Omni's Select Guest benefits also provide upgrade to a suite when redeeming free nights at any Omni Hotel or Resort

"Since we launched GHA Discovery, our 'Local Experiences' have been very well received," said Chris Hartley, "However, feedback highlighted the need for 'Local Experiences' that could be booked on arrival, don't take too long and give guests a flavor of their location, so they can go home with at least one memorable insight into the destination they visited.  'Experience Express' delivers just that."

Learn more about GHA Discovery and "Experience Express" at www.ghadiscovery.com/express.

About the GHA Discovery Program

GHA Discovery is about making your travel unforgettable.  Using a common technology platform, members receive recognition across almost 300 hotels, resorts, palaces and spas in all of the twelve Global Hotel Alliance member brands.  Local Experiences, the exciting rewards of the GHA Discovery programme, are unique, authentic activities which are designed by the hotels to give you a taste of local traditions and culture.  Naturally, members also receive stay benefits, such as complimentary internet access, room upgrades and of course enhanced personal recognition as they move through the membership levels, each and every time they stay at a Global Hotel Alliance hotel.  For more information visit www.ghadiscovery.com.

About Global Hotel Alliance

Based on the airline alliance model, Global Hotel Alliance is the world's largest alliance of independent hotel brands. It uses a common technology platform to drive incremental revenues and create cost savings for its members, while offering enhanced recognition and service to customers across all brands. GHA currently comprises of Anantara, Doyle Collection, First, Kempinski, Leela, Marco Polo, Mirvac, Omni, Pan Pacific, PARKROYAL, Shaza and Tivoli Hotels & Resorts encompassing almost 300 upscale and luxury hotels with 60,000 rooms across 48 different countries.  www.gha.com

About Omni Hotels & Resorts

Omni Hotels & Resorts creates genuine, authentic guest experiences that take guests on "A Total Departure" to 50 distinct luxury hotels and resorts in leading business gateways and leisure destinations across North America.  From exceptional golf and spa retreats to dynamic business settings, each Omni showcases the local flavor of the destination while featuring four-diamond services, signature restaurants, Wi-Fi connectivity and unique wellness options.  Known for its award-winning, personalized service, Omni leaves a lasting impression with every customer interaction, with a heightened level of recognition and rewards delivered through its Select Guest loyalty program and the company's "Power of One" associate empowerment program.  The brand is frequently recognized by top consumer research organizations such as J.D. Power and Associates, which ranked Omni as "Highest in Guest Satisfaction Among Upscale Hotel Chains" in its 2010 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study(SM). To get additional information or book accommodations, visit omnihotels.com or call 1-800-The-Omni.

Contact Information
Judith HoSang, Weber Shandwick, Tel: +1 212 445 8122, e-mail: [email protected]
Caryn Kboudi, Omni Hotels & Resorts, Tel: 972-871-5625, email: [email protected]
Vicky Elliot, Global Hotel Alliance, Tel: +41 22 596 4460, e-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Global Hotel Alliance