Tag Archives: IHG

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Emirates Skywards, the award-winning loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai, have launched a limited time offer allowing IHG Rewards Club and Emirates Skywards members to earn triple Skywards Miles when booking a stay at any IHG Hotels & Resorts worldwide. This exclusive, limited time offer allows guests to earn 6 Skywards Miles per USD 1 spent at Regent Hotels and Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hualuxe Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, EVEN Hotels, Voco, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, and avid Hotels globally; and 3 Skywards Miles per USD 1 spent at Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites and The Venetian | The Palazzo Las Vegas. The promotion is valid for registrations and hotel bookings made from September 1, 2020 until December 31st 2020, for hotel stays until March 2021 at any IHG Hotels and Resorts worldwide.

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) adds Hotel Indigo, to its boutique and lifestyle brand, the brand’s first ever hotel in the Middle East. The flagship property in the region will open its doors along the banks of the Dubai Creek, minutes away from Burj Khalifa. Slated to open in Summer 2020, Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown is a stone’s throw from a number of iconic landmarks and attractions, including one of the world’s largest retail hubs, The Dubai Mall. Hotel Indigo properties offer a gateway to discover some of the world’s most inspiring locations. Each hotel brings the outside in; drawing from the local area to inspire every aspect of each hotel, from intriguing design to locally inspired menus. Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown is no exception, taking inspiration from the story of its neighbourhood areas to help guests feel part of the destination. Each of the 269 rooms are inspired by the story of Dubai Creek– whether that’s through the surrealist wallpaper exclusively created by local artists, bespoke shisha lamps or the wardrobes with carved wooden doors, hand-crafted in Mashrabiya style with a modern twist. The spa inspired mother-of-pearl bathrooms pay homage to the country’s proud heritage of pearl diving, while eye-catching vibrant Moroso designer furniture adds a contemporary touch to the interior. Floor to ceiling windows overlook envy-inducing views; be it over the Dubai Canal or the Dubai Skyline. Laura Eggleton, General Manager, Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown, said, “As our first opening in the region, Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown combines the city’s heritage with the new, fresh buzz of the ever-evolving landscape through local collaborations. We’re looking forward to sharing our neighbourhood story with you.”

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) to open an office in Riyadh in March 2020. The news comes as IHG continues to expand its portfolio in the Kingdom in response to Vision 2030 and the opportunities it presents to the tourism and hospitality sector. The new office will also drive the performance of IHG’s existing estate further in the country and simultaneously support the expanding portfolio, as well as the company’s ambition towards leading ‘Saudization’ efforts in the industry. To lead IHG’s business in Saudi Arabia, Bastien Blanc has been appointed as Managing Director, KSA and Bahrain effective March 1, 2020. In his current role with IHG, Bastien is responsible for leading the operations across IHG’s portfolio of hotels in the Middle East and Africa, including KSA. In his new role, Bastien will be responsible for driving both growth and performance for IHG in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. With extensive experience of working in KSA, Bastien has been deeply ingrained into the market. He has also been leading IHG’s ‘Saudization’ efforts which he will continue to drive further in his new role. Bastien will continue to report to Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, IMEA, IHG. Commenting on the recent developments, Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, IMEA, IHG said, “Saudi Arabia is a key market for IHG in the Middle East. With Saudi Vision 2030 and the rapid socio-economic transformation in the country, we believe, the tourism and hospitality industry will continue to be presented with unparalleled opportunities. We are therefore, pleased to solidify our presence in the country with the opening of a new office in the capital city, and appoint a talented team led by Bastien, to drive our growth and performance in …

When it comes to modern meetings, the rulebook has been thrown out the window and delegates have changing expectations. Boardrooms can often be stifling environments, filled with a range of emotions, from boredom to tension and frustration, leaving the question, how can we break out of the ‘bored-room’ and get the most of our meetings? The answer is IHG’s Unique Meetings, a portfolio of one-of-a-kind event spaces and experiences designed specifically for those looking for non-traditional meetings that are conducive to productivity, creativity and collaboration. Unique Meetings offer more than just four walls and were introduced to cater to the changing expectations of event attendees, who are looking for memorable experiences and stand-out venues. Whether it’s a tropical beach or a Bedouin tent, IHG provides alternative settings for business gatherings and has a team of event planners to assist with organising meetings and conferences that take advantage of the surroundings and leave guests with a long-lasting impression.

The latest deal to be signed was the new Holiday Inn at the upcoming Dubai Deira Islands which will soon be a very popular destination. The signing is aligned with IHG’s strategy to increase its mid-scale offering in the Middle East and cater to the diverse profiles of guests visiting the region. Expected to open in 2023, the 170-key hotel will be in close proximity to the city centre (15-minute drive) and airport (10-minute drive). Ideal for business and leisure travellers, Holiday Inn Dubai Deira Islands will feature well-appointed guest rooms, excellent facilities including a business centre, three meeting rooms (432 sqm in total) as well as a state-of-the-art gymnasium and outdoor pool for guests to relax and rejuvenate. Furthermore, guests will have two dining options offering an excellent selection of food and beverages. Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG said, “This is the sixth signing for our mid-scale portfolio in the Middle East, this year, and we are very pleased with the strong progress we are making in this segment. We are excited about this new venture and look forward to welcoming guests to this highly anticipated location in 2023.” Partnering with IHG for Holiday Inn Dubai Deira Islands, Ravi Sankar said, “IHG is a trusted brand with a long-standing history in the Middle East and we are proud to partner with them to open Holiday Inn Dubai Deira Islands. I am confident that the strategic location combined with IHG’s signature hospitality, will successfully cater to the needs of the modern business and leisure traveller.”

IHG signed a global partnership agreement with Seera Group, the largest travel and tourism company in the Middle East with a prominent local, regional and international presence. The significant direct connectivity distribution agreement, which was announced at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2019, will provide Seera Group (formerly Al Tayyar Travel Group) with access to IHG’s current global portfolio of 15 brands and over 5,600 hotels, in more than 100 countries, for the leisure travel category. Seera Group will also have access to automated real-time pricing and inventory across IHG’s portfolio. Commenting on the signing, Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, IMEA, IHG, said, “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Seera Group. IHG has ambitious growth aspirations for the region, and the exciting agreement will allow us to connect with a wider audience of leisure travellers. Leisure travel is a growing category amongst the region’s domestic and outbound travellers, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a number of projects initiated under the KSA National Vision 2030. Our global portfolio of well-known brands and hotels, coupled with the partnership, will allow us to be able to bring both greater awareness and choice to the travellers in the region.” The agreement will provide IHG with access to Seera Group’s extensive regional network of retail branches and call centres, as well as the group’s leading consumer travel brand Almosafer and its UAE-focused OTA tajawal, strengthening IHG’s visibility and sales capabilities. Abdullah Al Dawood, CEO of Seera Group, said, “Seera Group is fast becoming the partner of choice for hotel brands looking to harness the power of the Middle East’s travel industry, and with a new partnership, IHG will gain exposure to our …

IHG announced the signing of Staybridge Suites Manama Al Seef, marking the debut of the brand in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Expected to open in January 2020, the 128-room extended stay hotel will operate under a management agreement with major developer, Bin Faqeeh Real Estate Investment Company S.P.C. The signing was held with the attendance of H.E. Sheikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa, CEO of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) in the headquarters of the Bin Faqeeh Real Estate Investment Company S.P.C. Located in the heart of the capital, Staybridge Suites Manama Al Seef will benefit from proximity to the popular shopping and commercial destination, the Seef District. Guests can also enjoy home-like surroundings and amenities throughout the hotel with a feeling of community including a fully equipped kitchen, spacious suites, large workspaces, complimentary WiFi, a business centre and a fitness centre. Commenting on the signing, H.E. Sheikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa, stated, “The development of Staybridge Suites comes in line with BTEA’s strategy which focuses on four pillars, ‘awareness, attraction, access, and accommodation’ in order to attract regional and international visitors, further increasing the tourism sector’s contribution to the national economy.” In a statement on the signing, Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG, said, “The tourism industry in Bahrain is gaining momentum with an increase in leisure and business travellers, especially from the GCC countries, that is resulting in a rising demand for long stay accommodation.” Faisal Faqeeh, Chairman of Bin Faqeeh Real Estate Investment Company S.P.C., added, “The fantastic location combined with the unique offering of Staybridge Suites Manama Al Seef, make it the ideal choice for travellers looking for a home …

IHG has signed a management agreement with Bougary Holding to develop Crowne Plaza® Makkah Beban. Scheduled to open in December 2019, the new hotel comprising 1200 rooms will be world’s largest Crowne Plaza and a landmark hotel for IHG. Located in close proximity to the Holy Mosque, the hotel will join the existing InterContinental® and Holiday Inn® in the city and cater to the influx of pilgrim visits expected as part of Vision 2030. IHG is the largest international hotel group in Saudi Arabia, both by number of hotels and number of rooms, and the latest signing is aligned with the company’s strategy to expand its footprint in the kingdom. Crowne Plaza® Makkah Beban boasts a host of facilities including two restaurants and a coffee shop, a business centre and three meeting rooms (3323 sqm in total) to cater to a range of meetings and events. Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG said, “Saudi Arabia offers great opportunities both in terms of domestic and inbound tourism and is central to our expansion strategy in the Middle East. We have a strong legacy in the Kingdom and are proud to collaborate with Bougary Holding, represented by Mr Loay Bougary, CEO, Bougary Holding, to bring the world’s largest Crowne Plaza to the country. This is a milestone signing for us in the Middle East and is testament to our commitment to the market. Crowne Plaza® brand is loved by travellers across the globe and is known to offer world-class amenities and excellent service to the guest; we are confident Crowne Plaza® Makkah Beban will be a popular choice amongst travellers visiting the holy city.” Loay Bougary, CEO, Bougary …

IHG has signed a management agreement with Arab International Tourism Investment Company to debut the voco™ brand in Egypt, with the development of voco Giza Pyramids. Part of a mixed-use development, including a high-end mall, the 17,000 sqm hotel is scheduled to open in 2022. Debuting in the Middle East in December 2018, the voco™ brand combines the informality and charm of an individual hotel, with the quality and reassurance of a global and respected brand. To cater to both business and leisure travellers, the 230-room voco Giza Pyramids will be situated in the prime locale of Pyramids Gardens in Giza, besides the Grand Egyptian Museum and the main entrance of the Pyramids. A 15-minute drive from the newly opened Sphinx International Airport, the hotel is conveniently located 30-minutes from the city centre, with easy access to the ring road connection to the New Administrative Capital, that is expected to become the new administrative and financial capital of Egypt. The new-build hotel will offer features that include an outdoor pool, a health club and spa, as well as 861 sqm of meeting space. There will also be multiple dining options available for guests to enjoy, from the pool bar to the hotel’s speciality restaurant. Commenting on the partnership, Ibrahim El Adawy, Managing Director, Arab International Tourism Investment Company, said, “We are proud to partner with a global player such as IHG®, to introduce their latest upscale offering to the Egyptian market. We are confident the brand’s freshness, combined with the world-class experience of IHG and the fantastic location, will make voco™ Giza Pyramids a popular choice amongst business and leisure travellers alike.” Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, India, Middle East & …

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has signed an official management agreement with ACICO Gulf Real Estate to rebrand former Nassima Royal hotel as IHG’s upscale brand Voco. Globally, IHG launched Voco in June 2018 to strengthen IHG’s offer in the $40 billion upscale segment, which is expected to grow by a further $20 billion by 2025. Commenting on the landmark signing, Kenneth Macpherson, Chief Executive Officer Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa, IHG, said, “IHG has identified significant growth opportunities in upscale hospitality and the signing of Voco Dubai is a significant step in this direction. We are excited to partner with the esteemed ACICO Gulf Real Estate, and are confident that it will be a popular choice amongst travellers visiting Dubai. The Dubai market is ever-changing and maturing. In the UAE alone, the unbranded accommodation market makes up 60 per cent of the total hospitality sector. As such, we believe that the Emirate now requires a unique offering like Voco to cater to mindful and self-determined audiences. Voco combines the best of individual high-quality upscale hotels, with the best of IHG. It’s a brand that forms the heart of a newly built hotel or celebrates what already makes an existing hotel successful. Most importantly, guests can enjoy the freshness of unique hotels under a name they can trust.” Ghassan Alkhaled, CEO and Vice Chairman, ACICO Group added, “We are proud to partner with IHG to open the first Voco in the Middle East. Powered by the strength and scale of the IHG system and charm of the newly-launched brand, we are confident that Voco Dubai will be a great success and a preferred choice for business and leisure travellers looking for an upscale …