The world's most global hotel company, InterContinental Hotels Group, is pleased to announce the expansion of its Internet affiliate marketing program launched last year. This program compensates third party Web sites for referrals to InterContinental Hotels Group's Web sites that result in a hotel stay. InterContinental Hotels Group has selected ValueClick's Be Free platform to broaden the size and scope of its affiliate program to include more high- quality, high-traffic affiliates than ever before.


InterContinental Hotels Group, by working with Be Free, a leading provider of affiliate marketing technology and partner marketing programs, is able to work with Web sites that offer a unique audience and drive incremental revenue.


"InterContinental Hotels Group continues to lead the hotel industry with innovative online initiatives to bring consumers directly to our sites, wherever they may be on the Web. The growth of our affiliate marketing program is the next logical step in our online marketing initiatives. By incorporating Be Free's technology platform, we can now partner with any Web site worldwide, making it even easier for our customers to find our hotels and book direct," said Del Ross director, Global E-commerce Services, InterContinental Hotels Group.


According to a recent Forrester Research report, by 2007 households will spend nearly $48 billion in online leisure travel. Hotel and lodging is expected to fuel this Web travel rocket with a 145 percent growth.


Last year, InterContinental Hotels Group initiated a limited affiliate marketing program, which exceeded our expectations. According to Ross, "We were very pleased with the results of our initial affiliate program, but with our previous technology we could only partner with a few sites at a time. By removing this limitation and employing the right strategy we have accelerated our marketing efforts and are helping our hotels capitalize on the vast outreach the Web provides."


While any Web site may apply to become an affiliate of InterContinental Hotels Group, which includes some of the world's most recognized hotel brands, including InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites, the focus will be to work with Web sites that offer a unique audience and will drive incremental revenue. For more information regarding InterContinental Hotels Group affiliate marketing program, please visit http://affiliates.ichotelsgroup.com/ .