Marriott International teams with Ant Group to boost digital operations in China
Marriott International has inked a partnership agreement with Ant Group covering the Chinese market.
This will provide Alipay members with various benefits when they sign up for the Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Programme.
It builds on the more than 10 million newly enrolled members the company has gained through various channels since 2017, including its official flagship storefront in partnership with Fliggy, as well as consumer partnerships with Alibaba Group and Ant Group.
“We have a long history in China, and with more than 450 operating hotels across 23 brands in Greater China, we are committed to catering to the needs and preferences of all our guests,” says Henry Lee, President, Greater China, Marriott International.
“Our diverse brand portfolio offers further opportunities for innovative collaborations with Ant Group. To support the recovery of the travel industry, we are looking to offer exclusive travel experiences for high-net-worth members using Alipay.”
“We are delighted to extend our partnership with Marriott International, to enhance its digital operations and provide Alipay users with improved benefits,” says Kelly Li, General Manager overseeing user operations at Alipay and Vice President of Ant Group.
“Marriott International operates with a strong brand portfolio and connects us with a diverse range of clients with its award winning Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Programme. Following this partnership, we look forward to working with more partners and providing more comprehensive and exclusive experiences to Alipay users.”
“We studied what Chinese consumers want, and partnered with Ant Group to provide a new way of enjoying our Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programme,” says Julie Purser, Vice President, Marketing, Loyalty & Partnerships, Asia Pacific, Marriott International.
“With this development, we hope to keep up with digital marketing trend in China. We are excited to offer travellers more ways to follow their passion and experience unforgettable journeys.”
From 24th May 2022 to 31st March 2023, qualified Alipay members can sign up for a Marriott Bonvoy membership through the app and enjoy different levels of benefits.
They can, for instance, collect a digital coupon (worth 30 RMB) for afternoon tea at Marriott International hotels.
From 24th May 2022 to 24th June 2022, new members can have breakfast by spending only 1 RMB at selected Marriott International hotels in various cities, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Chengdu and Sanya.
Marriott International says that it will continue to “deepen its partnership with Alibaba Group and Ant Group to bring more inspirations for travellers with exclusive membership benefits”.
