02 October 2005
Team at InterContinental Hotels Group Property Prepare to Welcome Guests on Inaugural Direct Stockholm-Salalah Flight

Dubai - InterContinental Hotels Group, the world's most global hotel company, announced today that Crowne Plaza Salalah is bracing for an influx of visitors from Northern Europe with news that for the first-time direct flights will operate between Sweden and Salalah from September 28, this year.

With the first flight arriving on the morning of September 28, the team at the Crowne Plaza Salalah are excited about welcoming guests on the inaugural non-stop flight from Stockholm to Salalah.

Looking forward to welcoming the guests, Edward Chaaya, General Manager at the luxury resort, Crowne Plaza Salalah, said: "With the first flight arriving from Sweden to Salalah, we believe it demonstrates our ongoing effort to promote this hidden 'secret destination' in Oman to a wider audience."

Salalah, which is the second town of the Sultanate of Oman and 1,000km from Muscat, faces the expanse of the Indian Ocean. Surrounded by the mountains of Jibal Dhofar - which rise to 1,000m - the area is renowned for its lush greenery clear, crisp beaches and serenity. 

The Crowne Plaza Salalah, which recently underwent massive renovations to upgrade facilities, includes a never-ending beach that offers miles of nature walking and children can enjoy the hotels' very own interactive fountain playground, and a myriad of children's entertainment.

"With rooms that are luxuriously appointed - with high quality fabrics, bathroom trimmings and furniture - the hotel boasts a unique Interactive TV system enabling guests to browse the Internet from the comfort of their rooms, play games, and listen to the radio and more. Guests from Northern Europe also expected to enjoy our new 9 Hole, Par 3 Garden Golf Course," said Chaaya.

Charter to Benefit Crowne Plaza Salalah and Omani Economy
Denis Johnson, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, InterContintenal Hotels Group Middle East and Africa, believes the agreement with Aviation Seat Brokers - which will see the service continue for two seasons - will provide a massive boost to Oman's national tourism initiative.

"The direct service is a wonderful opportunity for Oman to further enhance its awareness as a premier holiday destination in Europe. The Ministry of Tourism's efforts in supporting this initiative should be applauded as it has been integral to ensuring that Salalah is promoted as a haven of tranquility," said Johnson.

The new service - which will iclude 30 scheduled flights per season every Wednesday carrying an estimated 2,000 travellers in the first season - has been made possible by a joint agreement between Salalah's Crowne Plaza and Hilton International, with the support of the Omani Ministry of Tourism.

Aviation Seat Brokers will also market Salalah in partnership with STS Solresor (Sweden), and its Norwegian-based SS Solia sister company will sell the service via connecting flights to Stockholm.

Expected to have a direct impact on increasing tourism levels to Oman, it is anticipated the agreement will result in assisting economic growth in the country. "This development, where we are going to instantly see a massive jump in visitors to the region, will not only create education, professional training and employment opportunities for thousands of Omanis, but it will also support the Sultanate's forward-thinking Omanization policy," said Johnson.

-Ends-

About InterContinental Hotels Group
InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn hotels across the region can be booked with toll-free calls to the InterContinental Hotels Group Middle East Central Reservations Office in Bahrain (80000 880), Egypt (0800-4433322), Jordan (0800-22666), Kuwait (473 2100 ext 6233), Lebanon (01 426-801 - ask operator to connect to 866 866 7556), Oman (800 777 999), Pakistan (00800 909 971234) Qatar (0800 971234), Saudi Arabia (800 897 1465), and the UAE (800 4642).

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC of the United Kingdom [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world's most global hotel company and the largest by number of rooms. InterContinental Hotels Group owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, more than 3,500 hotels and 535,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world (www.ichotelsgroup.com). The Group 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, and Candlewood Suites, and also has a controlling interest in Britvic, the second largest soft drinks manufacturer in the UK. InterContinental Hotels Group offers information and reservations capability on the Internet - www.intercontinental.com for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts,
www.crowneplaza.com for Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, www.holiday-inn.com for Holiday Inn hotels, www.hiexpress.com for Holiday Inn Express hotels, www.staybridge.com for Staybridge Suites by Holiday Inn hotels, and www.candlewoodsuites.com for Candlewood Suites, and for the Group's rewards programme, www.priorityclub.com For the latest news from InterContinental Hotels Group, visit our online Press Office at www.pressoffice.ihgplc.com

For further information please contact:
Impact Porter Novelli
PO Box 19791
Dubai
United Arab Emirates

Sarah Plummer
Senior Consultant
Tel: 9714 3304030
Ext: 404
Fax: 9714 3304031
E-mail: s.plummer@ipn.ae

© Press Release 2005