Aitken Spence launches loyalty card with New Year in view

The Aitken Spence hotel chain which has 10 hotels in Sri Lanka as well as resorts in Oman, Maldives and India, has introduced a new loyalty card for its continuous visitors. The launch of the card has been timed with the upcoming New Year holidays.

The diamond card can be obtained ether by spending Rs. 10,000 at an Aitken Spence hotel or by paying Rs. 10,000 to the head office, both of which makes customers eligible to apply for the card. “It is a long awaited initiative to be rolled out to Sri Lanka first,” said Anil Udawatte, Director of Sales and Marketing, speaking at a press briefing held recently. The points for the loyalty card will be gained as 10 percent of the total tab received at any of the hotels, as well as 100 points per Rs.1000 spent.

The Diamond points are earned each stay and can be redeemed at the next. Using the points, customers may be able to obtain a number of benefits such as free stays, upgrading of their rooms, special recognition and exclusive offers. Udawatte also revealed that if the hotels were launching any new rates, the members of the Diamond Club would be offered the most preferential rates first. He also said that the whole concept is web driven, so that members can check on their points, their visits as well as redemption offers at www.diamondclub.lk

The points received will be valid for two years and will also be transferable at the member’s discretion, as long as Aitken Spence is notified by letter, said Malin Hapugoda, Managing Director of the hotels sector of Aitken Spence.

The officials’ rationale behind the launch is that they are looking for a way to reward their loyal customers. According to Udawatte, the occupancy rates of Kandalama Heritance hotel and Ahungalla Heritance Resort show that more than, 40 percent and 30 percent respectively of the visitors in 2007 were Sri Lankans. “As a whole our hotels are doing well,” said Udawatte, adding that more than the beach resorts, the round-trip hotels were experiencing good times. (TR)