CHICAGO – July 25, 2016 – Today, Preferred Hotels & Resorts – the world’s largest independent hotel brand – entered into a global partnership with UnionPay International – the most widely used and influential bank card payment network – as part of its continuous campaign to court the booming Chinese outbound market by making it easier for travelers to consume the independent hotel experience. Effective through 2019, the agreement is designed to benefit both the hundreds of hotels and resorts within the brand’s global portfolio and the millions of UnionPay cardholders worldwide through a variety of components including advertising campaigns and special cardholder promotions.
Understanding that more and more Chinese travelers are making their travel purchasing decisions based solely on where they can use their UnionPay card, Preferred Hotels & Resorts spent six months coordinating efforts to ensure its member hotels were equipped to accept the market’s preferred method of payment. As part of the agreement, UnionPay International will provide Preferred Hotels & Resorts with valuable exposure through promotional campaigns such as banner advertising on UnionPayIntl.com and statement inserts at affiliate banks across China, which will rotate on a quarterly basis and educate cardholders on the unique experiences available at properties within the brand’s portfolio.
To kick off the partnership, Preferred Hotels & Resorts has launched its participation in UnionPay International’s ongoing “Enjoy the World Your Way” consumer promotion, extending cardholders a special discount of up to 15 percent on the Best Available Rate at 125 participating properties located across several of the top 50 most popular international destinations for Chinese travelers, from Lake Como, Italy, to Los Angeles, California. The offer is available exclusively to cardholders making reservations for stays now through December 31, 2016 via a dedicated microsite, unionpay.preferredhotels.cn/en. Terms and conditions apply.
The engagement with UnionPay International is the latest development in a series of initiatives that Preferred Hotels & Resorts has launched to showcase its steadfast commitment to both grow its presence in China and court the market’s lucrative outbound travel business. Among other brand efforts introduced in the past two years are a brand website in simplified Chinese (www.preferredhotels.cn), dynamic social media campaigns on Sina Weibo and WeChat, a partnership with Air China, and booking connectivity with key OTAs and China’s Global Distribution Service (GDS). So far in 2016, the company has also hired new associates based across Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Guangzhou to handle public relations, social media, travel trade relations, and sales responsibilities, and signed three new member hotels in China – Longemont Shanghai, Longemont Hotel Chengdu, and Wanda Reign Chengdu Hotel.
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About Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Preferred Hotels & Resorts is the world’s largest independent hotel brand, representing more than 650 distinctive hotels, resorts, residences, and unique hotel groups across 85 countries. Through its five global collections, Preferred Hotels & Resorts connects discerning travelers to the singular luxury hospitality experience that meets their life and style preferences for each occasion. Every property within the portfolio maintains the high quality standards and unparalleled service levels required by the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Integrated Quality Assurance Program. The iPrefer™ guest loyalty program, Preferred Residences℠, Preferred Family℠, Preferred Pride℠, and Preferred Golf™ offer valuable benefits for travelers seeking a unique experience. For more information, visit PreferredHotels.com.
About UnionPay International
UnionPay International (UPI) is a subsidiary of China UnionPay, focused on the growth and support of UnionPay’s global business. In partnership with more than 1,000 institutions worldwide, UnionPay International has enabled card acceptance in 160 countries and regions with issuance in more than 40 countries and regions. UnionPay International provides high quality, cost effective and secure cross-border payment services to the world’s largest cardholder base and ensures convenient local services to a growing number of global UnionPay cardholders and merchants.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Caroline Michaud
Vice President, Corporate Communications & Public Relations
Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Tel: +1 312 542 9218
cmichaud@preferredhotels.com
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