10 November, 2008; After less than one year in operation, the Concierge team of InterContinental Dubai Festival City has been awarded the title of 'Concierge Team of the Year 2008' at the Dubai Concierge of the Year awards ceremony this October.

The annual competition, sponsored by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, sees five star properties in Dubai contend for the coveted title each year. After undergoing a stringent number of trials, which include a written test of Dubai heritage and contemporary attractions, quick fire buzzer round, a high-pressured scenario question, and a visit from a 'mystery shopper', the points are calculated and winners announced. Never before has the concierge team of a newly opened hotel attained the award, yet the InterContinental Dubai Festival City team lead by Chief Concierge Adam Keast managed to secure the title just 11 months after the launch of the hotel, demonstrating their impressive local knowledge and excellent customer service. This is the inaugural entry for InterContinental in the Dubai competition, setting an impressive bench mark for all.

InterContinental's unique concierge programme aims at providing guests with an 'In the Know' insight of the local area, so more than simply visiting a destination, the guest may feel they encountered it. Chief Concierge Adam Keast is a firm believer in the programme, spending much time training his team and encouraging them all to explore and share their Dubai experiences with each other, from Bellmen up to team leaders. Following the programme, the information gathered was then compiled into an introductory video to Dubai and made available on the hotel's website allowing guests a personal insight to their destination before stepping foot in the hotel lobby.

Adam is immensely proud of his team, of which all but one has less than a year's experience in Dubai, a pride shared by Area General Manager Mr. Tom Meyer,

"To be number one in Dubai after less than a year in operation is a phenomenal achievement for Adam and his team of exceptional concierge. They are a testament to the 'In the Know' programme, and an example of what a dedicated group of individuals really can do."

Tom Meyer, Area General Manager, InterContinental Hotels Group properties Dubai Festival City

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InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) of the United Kingdom [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms.  IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 3,800 hotels and more than 558,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world.  IHG owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands, including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, Candlewood Suites® and Hotel Indigo®, and also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority Club® Rewards, with over 31 million members worldwide.

The company pioneered the travel industry's first collaborative response to environmental issues as founder of the International Hotels and Environment Initiative (IHEI). The IHEI formed the foundations of the Tourism Partnership launched by the International Business Leaders Forum in 2004, of which IHG is still a member today. The environment and local communities remain at the heart of IHG's global corporate responsibility focus.

IHG offers information and online reservations for all its hotel brands at www.ihg.com and information for the Priority Club Rewards programme at www.priorityclub.com.

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© Press Release 2008