Outrigger Resorts joins Global Hotel Alliance

Benefits include guest loyalty program, broader marketing opportunities

Outrigger Resorts has joined Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) as the growing alliance expands its footprint into new markets, including Outrigger’s home base of Hawaii and its properties in Fiji, Guam and Mauritius.

The addition of Outrigger Resorts, which is the premier beachfront resort brand of Honolulu-based Outrigger Enterprises Group, increases by nine upmarket resorts GHA’s network of over 550 properties spanning 33 independent brands. Outrigger relaunched its upmarket beachfront resort properties as the unique brand Outrigger Resorts in 2014.

Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort

Travelers will benefit from Outrigger Resorts’ affiliation with GHA through the addition of a loyalty program, which Outrigger does not currently offer.

“Outrigger now has a program that allows us to better recognize and reward our loyal guests in a way that fits perfectly with Outrigger’s distinctive style of hospitality of combining exceptional hospitality with authentic cultural experiences,” Dan Wacksman, SVP of Global Distribution for Outrigger Enterprises Group, told TheTravelPro in an email.

“This aligns wonderfully with GHA’s DISCOVERY rewards program that rewards customers with local experiences meant to connect each traveler more deeply with their destination and its people,” he added.

Once the integration of Outrigger Resorts into GHA is completed later this year, DISCOVERY members will be able to accrue and redeem rewards across the Outrigger Resorts portfolio as well as at other GHA properties.

GHA officials said Outrigger Resorts are a perfect fit for GHA’s business model.

“GHA is about bringing together fiercely independent brands, many of which have been privately held for generations, and giving them the ability to thrive on their individuality in a rapidly consolidating hospitality market,” Chris Hartley, GHA’s CEO, said.

Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head

As part of its unique hospitality offering, Outrigger extends exceptional hospitality and authentic cultural experiences, incorporating local traditions and customs into the guest experience at each of its properties worldwide, GHA said.

Its affiliation with GHA will also benefit Outrigger Resorts by extending its marketing reach.

“As part of GHA, Outrigger is now part of a strong marketing alliance with likeminded brands with access to numerous sales, marketing and distribution opportunities offered through the alliance and individually with alliance members,” Wascksman said. That alliance will give Outrigger access to a customer base of over seven million DISCOVERY members, many of whom are in Outriggers key feeder markets.

Outrigger Enterprises Group is one of the largest and fastest growing privately held leisure lodging, retail and hospitality companies operating in the Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean regions.

Guest room at Waikiki Beach Resort

I have stayed at several Outrigger properties, most recently while attending the 13th Annual Spam Jam in 2015. Properties at which I have stayed include the Outrigger Reef on the Beach and the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort.

As advertised, the design of each property reflects the local culture. Equally important as an attractive physical plant, however, is the service, which I have also found consistently excellent. Outrigger also has properties in Thailand,

GHA’s member brands include Alila, Anantara, Art Series, Atura, AVANI, Corinthia, Doyle Collection, First, GLO, Kempinski, Leela, Lungarno Collection, Marco Polo, Meritage Collection, Meydan, Mokara, Omni, NICCOLO by Marco Polo, NUO, Pan Pacific, PARKROYAL, PER AQUUM, QT, Rixos, Rydges, Shaza, Tangram, Thon, Tivoli, Ultratravel Collection and Viceroy. In total, GHA’s network provides access to 110,000 upscale and luxury hotel rooms across 76 different countries.

Visit my main page at TheTravelPro.us for more news, reviews, and personal observations on the world of upmarket travel.

Follow @TheTravelProUS

Photos by Carl Dombek
Click on photos to view larger images