DUR Hospitality signs franchise agreement with IHG for Crowne Plaza in Riyadh

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Dur Hospitality, the Saudi grown hospitality company, and IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, have recently announced the signing of a franchise agreement for Crowne Plaza® Riyadh Palace, under the master franchise agreement signed in 2014 for 4 hotels. Currently operating as Riyadh Palace Hotel, the property is expected to be rebranded to Crowne Plaza by June 2018.

Remarking on this, Mr Ahdab, President of Hotel Operations Dur Hospitality said, “We are delighted to partner with IHG® yet again, for their world class brand – Crowne Plaza®, making this our second hotel with them, following the opening of Holiday Inn, Tabuk. Riyadh is home to more than 6 million people and has solidified itself as a commercial hub, attracting business travelers from domestic and international markets. As we embark on this endeavour, we continue to strategically work alongside distinguished partners in order to provide the best services to the industry coupled with authenticity and hospitable traditions”.

“Incorporating an element of French design, the hotel is strategically located in the Ministries Quarter, a popular business district, making it an ideal and convenient location for the business community”, he further added.

The hotel totals to 304 rooms, over 1400sqm of meetings space, a business centre along with an outdoor pool, Club Lounge, and a spa to rejuvenate and relax. It offers a range of authentic and contemporary cuisine at the hotel’s very own restaurant and at the Lobby Café.

Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG said: “We value our partnership with Dur Hospitality and we look forward to expanding our presence in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia is a priority market for us, and this agreement is a representation of our intent to continue growing in the country and our commitment to our overall expansion plans in the Middle East. Given the government’s ambitious economic reform plan, Vision 2030, we anticipate an increase in demand for quality branded hotels in Saudi Arabia, and with 31 operational hotels and a robust development pipeline, we are confident of being able to cater to this demand.

The new agreement aligns with IHG® strategy to grow the Crowne Plaza® brand footprint across the Middle East and specifically in Saudi Arabia. IHG® currently has 7 operating hotels in Riyadh and 31 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Numbers as at December 31^st, 2017

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About Dur Hospitality

Dur Hospitality is a publicly listed Saudi hospitality company established in 1976, that owns, develops, and manages a broad range of hospitality and residential properties across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Its 2.37 billion Riyals diversified portfolio encompasses more than 20 properties, in addition 21 projects under development.

In 1983, Dur hospitality launched its first Saudi Hotel brand, “Makarem Hotels”, the award winning local brand specialized in delivering Saudi authentic hospitality services as per the international standards, in the Holy cities of Makkah and Madina. Additionally, Dur operates hotels across Saudi Arabia through its franchise agreements with IHG and Marriott International.

In the real estate sector, Dur designs, develops and manages residential communities, employing its extended background in hospitality to offer integrated facility management services under its own Brand “Dur Communities”.

About

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, Hotel Indigo^®, EVEN^® Hotels, HUALUXE^® Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza^® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn^®, Holiday Inn Express^®, Holiday Inn Club Vacations^®, Holiday Inn Resort^®, avid™ hotels, Staybridge Suites^® and Candlewood Suites^®.

IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns more than 5,300 hotels and nearly 800,000 guest rooms in almost 100 countries, with nearly 1,700 hotels in its development pipeline. IHG also manages IHG^® Rewards Club, our global loyalty programme, which has more than 100 million enrolled members.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group’s holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales. More than 375,000 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.ihgplc.com/media and follow us on social media at: www.twitter.com/ihg, www.facebook.com/ihg and www.youtube.com/ihgplc.

About Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts

Part of the IHG® global portfolio, the Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts brand is a dynamic upscale hotel brand located in over 60 countries around the world in major urban centres, gateway cities and resort destinations. As the fourth largest upscale full-service hotel brand in the world and one of the fastest growing, the Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts brand has a solid foundation for future growth. The portfolio has doubled since 2003 to over 400 hotels, and is set to continue expanding with its global pipeline of 84 hotels.

At Crowne Plaza® hotels, we’re all business, mostly, enabling our guests to unlock productivity and energising experiences with memorable downtime to make business travel work. Our signature Sleep Advantage® program ensures our guests are recharged with a great night’s sleep.

For more information, visit www.crowneplaza.com, and connect with us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Crowne.Plaza.AMEA, Twitter www.twitter.com/crowneplaza, and Instagram www.instagram.com/crowneplaza.