“Saudi Arabia is an important market for Starwood and the growing number of SPG members in this market proves that SPG is tremendously popular with travelers from this region,” said Steven Taylor, vice president marketing, Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
“Our SPG program enables Starwood to foster positive relationships with our most valued customers in KSA and add meaningful benefits to their travel experiences.”
The SPG program is a key growing force for Starwood, driving nearly one out of two guests into its hotels globally. In the EAME region, 41 percent of Starwood’s occupancy is driven by the SPG program, which saw member stays across the region up seven percent in 2010.
Launched in 1999, SPG is known today as the industry’s leading loyalty program, offering travelers the opportunity to earn and redeem points in over 1,000 hotels in more than 100 countries - including more than 43 participating properties in the Middle East.
According Starwood, over the past twelve months, the three most popular regions for Saudi SPG members for business or leisure travel were the Middle East, Africa/Indian Ocean and South East Asia.
The five hotels most favored by KSA SPG guests were Le Meridien Jeddah, Le Meridien Makkah, and Sheraton Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Sheraton Cairo, Egypt and the Westin Langkawi, Malaysia.
The top hotels and locations in which the Kingdom’s SPG members chose to redeem their SPG Starpoints were Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun in Beirut, Le Meridien Al Khobar, Westin Jeddah, Sheraton Cairo and Sheraton Damascus.
