MCLEAN, Va.—Hilton this week introduced Explore, a new feature of the Hilton Honors mobile app that gives Hilton Honors members a tool for exploring the neighborhood surrounding their hotel with suggestions from local Hilton staff. Powered by location technology company, Foursquare, Hilton’s new Explore feature will bring together technology and localized recommendations rooted in the personal experiences of local employees.
Beginning September 12, Explore will be available in 28 markets covering nearly 1,000 global properties among all Hilton brands, with plans to expand to additional markets in the future. Through Explore, guests will have the opportunity to experience food, nightlife, shopping, and activity destinations selected by Hilton employees who reside in the area. Each recommendation includes photos and tips directly from local hotel staff, including menu items to try, the best times to go, and specific things to see. Suggestions are curated to appeal to a variety of audiences–from families looking for kid-friendly museums to frequent travelers looking for business dinner recommendations or couples interested in fine dining experiences.
“In listening to our guests, there is a real desire for more personalized travel advice and access to local perspectives surrounding best restaurants, attractions, and neighborhoods to explore,” said Joshua Sloser, senior vice president of digital at Hilton. “No one knows their city better than local Team Members, which is why we’re empowering them, through Hilton Explore, to provide the latest local recommendations to enhance our guests’ experiences.”
Foursquare’s Places API will serve as the primary source for real-time venue information, which includes ratings, features, photos, and hours. Guests will see recommendations relevant to their current hotel reservation and can “favorite” the recommendations provided in advance of their travel to create an in-app guide for their upcoming trip.
“Foursquare’s location technology—built over nearly 10 years and proven to be the leading choice for layering context and location into digital experiences—is now allowing Hilton Team Members to better serve their guests by connecting them with our constantly refreshed database of more than 105 million places worldwide,” said Peter Krasniqi, vice president of global enterprise and business development for Foursquare.
