IHG® (InterContinental® Hotels Group) announces the launch of the Planet Trekkers mobile app from InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, designed for children to learn about and explore their travel destination, before, during and after their holiday. The app, aimed at 6-12 year olds has been created in partnership with National Geographic Kids.

The app is based on a treasure hunt style game and challenges children to discover indigenous wildlife, take part in local adventures, and taste native dishes, to truly get them excited about their holiday. It allows children to learn more about exciting adventures to experience within four categories – Natural Discoveries; Active Pursuits; Local Culture and New Flavours. The Planet Trekkers app also allows children to upload photos and details from their adventures.

Simon Scoot, Vice President, Global Brands, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts said;

“The InterContinental brand is dedicated to providing enriching and authentic experiences to our guests, however big or small, and the launch of the new Planet Trekkers app in partnership with National Geographic Kids, helps us to do this. At IHG we continuously gather insights from our guests, which enables us to research and develop new ways of engaging with them throughout their travels. With a wealth of exciting geographical and cultural content at their fingertips, the Planet Trekkers app will spark a real sense of excitement amongst young travellers and allow the whole family to fully engage with their travel destination.”

Charlie Attenborough, Managing Director, National Geographic Partners said;

“We are thrilled to partner with InterContinental Hotels & Resorts in the development of the Planet Trekkers app. National Geographic is committed to inspiring, educating and celebrating young people, because they are the leaders who will protect our planet in the future and this new partnership helps us in our mission of teaching kids about the planet and empowering them to succeed.”

The app is part of the Planet Trekkers family programme, a club of tailored services, cuisine and activities that are specifically created for families. It allows families to explore the world together and cultivate a deeper understanding of the world around them – with an InterContinental touch.

Over the past two years the programme has seen a number of enhancements including the introduction of the Planet Trekkers Children's Menu and partnership with renowned Norland College. The National Geographic Kids partnership and launch of the new children's app is the latest addition to the Planet Trekkers programme.

The Planet Trekkers app is available to download free of charge from the iTunes App Store: Download here

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For further press information contact Clarion Communications:

intercontinental.hotelgroup@clarioncomms.co.uk 

Notes to Editors:

Example of Destination Content Available on the Planet Trekkers App: 

Fiji is famous for its clear waters, colourful coral reefs and white beaches. The country is made up of over 300 islands. There are lots of great things to do on Fiji's largest island, Viti Levu. While you're here, look out for rainforest animals, glide down a river on a bamboo raft, see warriors' scary weapons and explore a tropical market.

• Natural Discoveries

Kula Eco Park is located on Viti Levu's Coral Coast. In this rainforest preserve, you'll find birds, reptiles, sea turtles and fruit bats. There are marine displays with live corals—ocean animals with hard shells, or exo-skeletons. You can even help feed the turtles and touch the iguanas!

• Active Pursuits

Have an adventure and go rafting! Ride a Fijian bamboo raft, or bilibili, down the Navua River. You'll pass through mountain valleys and see lots of tropical wilderness along the way.

• Local Culture

Learn about Fiji at the Kalevu Cultural Centre on the Coral Coast. You'll watch crafts like pottery-making and the creation of tapa cloth (made from the inner bark of trees). There's also a display of some of the gruesome weapons used by Fijian warriors once upon a time.

• New Flavours

Hang out with the locals at the Municipal Market in Suva, Fiji's capital city. It's a great place to take pictures! See how many kinds of produce you can identify. You could see root vegetables like taro, cassava and kava, and fruits like pineapples, coconuts, papaya and jackfruit.

About IHG

IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global organisation with a broad portfolio of hotel brands, including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants, HUALUXE® Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, EVEN™ Hotels, Holiday Inn® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites®. IHG franchises, leases, manage or owns more than 5,000 hotels in nearly 100 countries, with more than 1,300 hotels in its development pipeline. IHG also manages IHG® Rewards Club, the world's first and largest hotel loyalty programme with more than 90 million members worldwide.  InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales. More than 350,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.

Visit www.ihg.com for hotel information and reservations and www.ihgrewardsclub.com for more on IHG Rewards Club. For our latest news, visit: www.ihg.com/media and follow us on social media at: www.twitter.com/ihg, www.facebook.com/ihg and www.youtube.com/ihgplc.

About National Geographic Kids

Please visit the National Geographic Kids website for further information: www.ngkids.co.uk

020 7479 0910
Danté Piras: dpiras@Clarioncomms.co.uk
Aileen O'Riada: aoriada@Clarioncomms.co.uk