According to research by Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG), 57% of UAE travellers use loyalty programmes to fund their holidays, with one in three also organising their entire holiday solely through points.
The research by IHG Rewards Club, which surveyed more than 10,000 of its members across 13 countries including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, revealed that 69% of respondents felt that points were a reward in exchange for their loyalty
The study also found that rewards programmes are increasingly used to enhance holidays, with 62% of UAE travellers redeeming their points for accommodation, 30% using them for upgrades, 22% using points to book a unique dining experience, and 24% of respondents using their points to book an extra week on an existing holiday.
IHG senior vice president customer loyalty marketing Susanna Freer-Epstein said: “Loyalty programmes play an important role in helping guests enjoy and get the most out of their holidays.
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"That’s why IHG Rewards Club makes it easy for members to redeem points across a family of nine IHG hotel brands.
"But this research shows that there is an emotional attachment too, in helping dreams become a reality and ensuring, with IHG Rewards Club, that our members receive a special welcome whenever and wherever they travel with us.”
Benefits offered by IHG Rewards Club include free guest internet for members and no blackout dates on Reward Nights.
IHG Rewards Club is claimed to be the world’s largest hotel loyalty programme, with nearly 79 million members.
In the UAE, IHG’s portfolio includes 17 hotels across five brands, with a further nine properties due to open in the next three to five years, including the InterContinental Dubai Marina, which opens this year.
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