Dubai, June 29, 2008: InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), in partnership with Ishraq Gulf Real Estate Holding Co. has today announced the opening of Holiday Inn Express Dubai Safa Park - the first property to begin trading under the brand's new name and the second Express property to open in Dubai within 12 months.
Leading on from the success of Express by Holiday Inn Dubai Internet City, the 171 room Holiday Inn Express Dubai Safa Park will cater to the growing demands for limited service hotels, offering competitive pricing, quality accommodation for both business and leisure travellers and the reassurance that an international brand brings.
Following today's opening IHG and Ishraq also announced the impending opening of another property, in Dubai - Jumeirah in August, growing the Express estate to three within the UAE.
"This is a landmark opening for IHG and we are delighted to again be working in partnership with Ishraq to launch the second Express property in the Middle East. The limited service sector is a burgeoning new segment in the Middle East and IHG is committed to ensuring that we are at the forefront of this development," explained John Bamsey, Chief Operating Officer, IHG, Middle East and Africa.
"The fact that we have two Express properties opening in such a short period highlights our dedication to growing the limited service sector throughout the region and delivering a great night's sleep at an affordable price."
Catering primarily to the short stay frequent business traveller, Holiday Inn Express Dubai Safa Park is conveniently located on Sheikh Zayed Road close to the major business districts of Dubai; just 5 minutes from Dubai International Financial City and a short drive from the commercial hubs of Jebel Ali Free Zone, Media City and Internet City. For those precious moments of down-time the hotel is also located near to major shopping centres and within a short walking distance from Safa Park, Dubai's largest public park.
Each of its modern rooms come with a pillow menu, enhanced en-suite facilities with a power-shower all designed to provide guests with a more refreshing and comfortable stay.
Sami Al Ansari, Ishraq's Chief Executive Officer, said: "Ishraq is pleased to be working alongside IHG to bring another Express property to the Middle East. Our third property, Dubai - Jumeirah is due to launch in the next few weeks ensuring we are in a strong position to lead the limited service sector across Dubai, with Ishraq's aggressive expansion plans for the greater region already in progress."
Holiday Inn Express Dubai Safa Park will be operated by Ishraq Hospitality Management a subsidiary of Ishraq Gulf Real Estate Holding Co. the exclusive developer of the Holiday Inn Express hotels in the GCC countries, excluding Saudi Arabia.
Developed by InterContinental Hotels Group, Express by Holiday Inn is the world's largest limited service hotel brand and is growing rapidly. Worldwide there are more than 1,800 properties and more than 158,000 rooms operating under this brand flag.
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About the Holiday Inn Relaunch
After extensive market research, in October 2007 IHG announced a worldwide re-launch of the Holiday Inn brand family, which comprises Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts and Holiday Inn Express (or Express by Holiday Inn as it is known in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific),.
All Holiday Inn hotels currently open or under development are expected to have implemented the relaunch programme by the end of 2010 to create a more contemporary brand image, increase quality and service, and drive consistency. Hotels will migrate to the new brand signage as the programme is rolled out and will offer a new service promise, a redesigned arrival and welcome experience along with refreshed guestrooms.
As part of this process all Express by Holiday Inn hotels across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific will become Holiday Inn Express properties in line with those in the Americas, thereby creating global consistency.
About IHG
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is one of the world's largest hotel groups by number of rooms. IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, almost 4,000 hotels and more than 590,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world 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®, Candlewood Suites® and Hotel Indigo®, and also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority Club® Rewards with over 37 million members worldwide.
IHG pioneered the travel industry's first collaborative response to environmental issues as founder of the International Hotels and Environment Initiative (IHEI). The environment and local communities remain at the heart of IHG's global corporate responsibility focus. We're the first major hotel group to have measured our environmental and carbon footprints and we're in the process of setting reduction targets.
With more than 1,600 hotels in its development pipeline, IHG needs to find around 150,000 people over the next few years to meet its global expansion plans.
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.
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. For the latest news from IHG, visit our online Press Office at www.ihg.com/media
About Ishraq:
Ishraq Gulf Real Estate Holding BSC ©, a company incorporated in Bahrain with Dubai-based headquarters, is the exclusive developer of the Express by Holiday Inn hotels in the entire GCC (With the exception of Saudi Arabia). Ishraq will develop more than 20 Hotels within a 5 year roll-out plan, Dubai International Capital LLC, the international investment arm of Dubai Holding is the major shareholder of ISHRAQ. For more information, please visit the website: http://www.ishraqholding.com
For more information please contact:
Anna Donnison
Consultant
Impact Porter Novelli
PO Box 19791
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Tel: 9714 3304030 Ext: 428
Fax: 9714 3304031
E-mail: a.donnison@ipn.ae
© Press Release 2008
