Emirates, IHG Hotels & Resorts sign deal to offer travel perks for SMEs globally

Dubai: Emirates airline and global hospitality group IHG Hotels & Resorts have signed a new agreement aimed at making travel smoother, more rewarding, and more affordable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore joint programmes that offer exclusive travel benefits, rewards, and discounted services tailored specifically for SMEs operating across international markets.

Through the partnership, Emirates and IHG aim to support smaller businesses with enhanced travel options — whether it’s easier hotel bookings, integrated flight and stay deals, or loyalty rewards that make frequent travel more cost-effective.

Small and medium-sized businesses are often overlooked when it comes to business travel deals, which typically favour large corporate accounts. But Emirates and IHG say this segment is vital for economic growth — and deserves better support.

“SMEs play a crucial role in driving economies and creating jobs,” said Nabil Sultan, Executive Vice President for Passenger Sales at Emirates. “With this partnership, we aim to extend more value and benefits to our SME customers.”

The collaboration will tap into Emirates’ global flight network and IHG’s portfolio of over 6,000 hotels across brands like InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, and more.

Mark Sergot, Senior Vice President at IHG, said: “By combining IHG’s hospitality strength with Emirates’ global connectivity, we’re creating new possibilities for small businesses to travel smarter and grow faster.”

The companies will now work on building customised offers for SMEs — with more announcements expected in the coming months.

For UAE-based SMEs or entrepreneurs frequently flying for trade, client meetings, or conferences, this could mean better deals and a more seamless experience when travelling abroad.