Shangri-La Group to Launch e-Services Within WeChat Ecosystem
Shangri-La Group said it will launch its WeChat Mini Program and WeChat online pay services on June 1, 2019, making it the first hotel company to offer a range of e-services under the WeChat eco-system including online pay and offline deposit for guests with WeChat accounts. By personalising their experience through WeChat functionalities, Shangri-La guests can look forward to enjoying greater convenience, as well as enhanced communications via social media engagement on the WeChat platform. These initiatives are a result of the Shangri-La and Tencent strategic partnership on digital transformation inked in 2018, which has enabled the group to tap into a wide range of platform resources and to engage with a broader base of WeChat users in China and globally.
From June 1, the WeChat Mini Program and WeChat online pay service will be available in all 50 Shangri-La properties in mainland China. The full suite of WeChat e-payment functions will be followed in stages for the other properties worldwide, with the service eventually covering the group’s over 100 hotels globally including Shangri-La, Kerry, Hotel Jen and Traders properties. The introduction of the Shangri-La WeChat Mini Program will also enable Golden Circle members to link their membership with their WeChat ID. Shangri-La’s official WeChat service account will also be upgraded by adding access to the mini program.
With the launch of WeChat Mini Program and WeChat online pay services, Shangri-La guests and WeChat users will be able to enjoy smoother stay experience and multiple benefits:
Seamless Guest Journey by WeChat Mini Program
Powered by Shangri-La WeChat Mini Program, guests will be brought on a seamless digital journey from the time they search, book, check-in and check-out (currently available in mainland China) to deposit payment with a few taps on a smart phone.
One-stop Solution by WeChat Pay
By integrating the multiple transaction touch points within the WeChat app, Shangri-La can bring a one-stop payment solution to guests through the e-payment tools of WeChat Pay. Guests can look forward to a seamless, secure and hassle-free payment process when they use WeChat online pay for room bookings via the Shangri-La WeChat Mini Program. In addition, 46 Shangri-La hotels in mainland China will also allow offline WeChat deposit pay for check-in at the front desk from the end of May. Guests can also track the offline deposit transaction via their WeChat account and get instant refund upon check-out.
Easy Access for Golden Circle Members via WeChat ID
Shangri-La Group has also brought the Golden Circle membership and WeChat ID together under one platform. Existing Golden Circle members can opt to manage their account from the WeChat end, while WeChat users can enroll to the Golden Circle program directly via the platform.
To celebrate this milestone, Golden Circle members and WeChat users are invited to enjoy an exclusive point promotions valid from June 1 to August 31, 2019:
- 100 Golden Circle award points for Golden Circle members upon the first log-in to the mini program
- 100 Golden Circle award points for WeChat users enrolling into Golden Circle program via the mini program
- Double Golden Circle award points for each booking made via the mini program
Yang Jiancheng, Shangri-La Group Chief Technology Officer, commented, “Working with Tencent has enabled us to make much progress in our joint efforts to drive the technology transformation of the hotel industry. We are excited by the many possibilities and innovative solutions that comes from leveraging technology to create even more convenient and personalised experiences for our customers. We look forward to bringing more unique offerings to our guests.”