InterContinental Hotels Group Integrates Three Dedicated Japanese Language Websites with its Global Hotel Network

InterContinental Hotels Group is launching three end-to-end Japanese language websites to better serve its Japanese-speaking customers. Customers can research and book any of the 3,500 InterContinental Hotels Group’s hotels worldwide quickly and easily, in their native language, by logging on to the Japanese InterContinental (www.japan.intercontinental.com) and Holiday Inn (www.japan.holiday-inn.com) websites. In addition, customers who are members of the Group’s loyalty programme Priority Club Rewards, can access the new Japanese Priority Club Rewards website to take advantage of convenient personalised services, including immediate online rewards redemption that do not require offline certificates or vouchers.

Said InterContinental Hotels Group’s Director, E-Commerce, Mr Craig Hewett, “The launch of these Japanese websites demonstrates our deep commitment to the Japan market. The new Japanese websites are part of an important group of local language websites we have been launching to better meet the needs of our customers. In addition to addressing customer preferences and creating more avenues for customers to reach us and place bookings, these websites also contribute to enhancing our profile and ensuring our continued leadership in these markets.”

The new Japanese websites offer a wide range of transactions. Mirroring the Group’s global Quick Reservation functionality, bookings can be completed in just four steps. The sites offer guaranteed reservations that can be confirmed online. Rooms are guaranteed till 6pm on the day of arrival without a deposit or the use of a credit card, eliminating security concerns regarding online payments. Customer privacy and security are also protected.

According to World Travel and Tourism Council, Japan’s total travel and tourism demand is forecasted to reach US$662.9 billion in ten years’ time. Coupled with an Internet penetration of more than 63 million in Japan, the new websites should be strong revenue drivers.

Added Mr Hewett, “These websites are part of our strategy to build a robust and scalable global system to help drive revenue and boost profitability for our hotels. In recent years, we have invested US$6 million globally in e-commerce, resulting in a host of enhanced online services. By constantly innovating and leveraging our global infrastructure and technological leadership, we have built an excellent track record of ‘industry firsts’ in technology and e-commerce, met the changing needs of our customers and stayed one step ahead of our competitors.”

See other recent news from: InterContinental Hotels Group