Skift Take

Hilton will simplify its process for booking small events and meetings, too. All told, it's a promising sign that hoteliers are finally taking the pain points of small and medium-sized businesses seriously.

Sean O'Neill

Hilton said Monday it's taking steps to streamline how small- and medium-sized businesses book and manage billings for business travel and small-group meetings and events.

The hotel giant has quietly opened a waitlist for Hilton for Business, a platform to simplify how businesses book travel at its hotels. Hilton plans to make the platform globally available early next year.

Hilton will offer points rewards to businesses — not just frequent travelers — as an incentive to woo participants. Another Hilton effort that will launch by early next year is expanding its events booking capabilities.

"We don't think anybody is serving this segment particularly well at this point," said Chris Silcock, Hilton’s chief commercial officer.

Loyalty Program for Businesses

To encourage businesses to sign up, Hilton will run a "loyalty program" that rewards businesses in addition to letting road warriors earn rewards through the Honors loyalty program.

"We're giving busines