Hilton expands online events booking functions

It aims to address friction points for small meetings and events.

Hilton Kuching with its newly refurbished ballroom.
Hilton Kuching with its newly refurbished ballroom.

Hilton is expanding its online events booking functionality. Available globally via all Hilton websites by early 2024, ‘Hilton for Business’ aims to transform the online travel management experience for SMEs for meeting packages of up to 35 pax, including guest rooms and meeting spaces, bundled with AV and F&B needs without a separate contract or phone call. This aims to simplify the complexities and stress associated with meeting planning, addressing friction points for small meetings and events. It also rewards planners with loyalty benefits.

Hilton data uncovered 75% of small- and medium-sized (SME) business customers book their own business trips and manage their own travel in-house, without outsourcing. And Hilton’s 2024 Trends Report revealed that 80% of global travelers agree that it is important to be able to book their entire trip online.

The perks include the following:

· Portfolio-wide discounts - SMEs that join Hilton for Business gain access to discounted rates across Hilton’s global portfolio of nearly 7,400 properties both on the website and on the Hilton Honors app.

· Travel rewards for SMEs and employees - companies will earn milestone bonuses through Hilton Honors. Companies that enroll will receive 7,500 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after any programme member completes the first hotel stay. After every 10 nights stayed by a member, the company receives 5,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points housed within the business’ company account. They can be used to distribute to themselves and/or any member of their Hilton for Business program. Individual travellers, including both owners and employees, will also continue to personal Hilton Honors Points and benefits each time they stay.

· Rapid onboarding - SME owners or travel administrators can register themselves and their companies through their own Hilton Honors account, to gain access to a self-service travel booking and management system for a quick enrollment and verification process. Once registered, the customer and their employees can access the booking website and other benefits. At that stage, individual travelers will also be able to create separate personal and business travel profiles within their own Hilton Honors account, enabling differentiation and management between the two profiles.

· Seamless programme management - business owners have full control and can delegate programme management to any number of administrators. The more employees are included in the program, the more benefits the company earns. Businesses can track upcoming spend, review historical spend, and view the benefits accumulating.