Dubai, 04 August 2008: InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the signing of an agreement with the Mohammad Omar Bin Haider Group (MOBH), to develop a Crowne Plaza hotel in the International Media Production Zone, Dubai, UAE.

The signing of Crowne Plaza Dubai - International Media Production Zone (IMPZ) took place at MOBH's head office in Dubai.  The event involved key business leaders Omar Mohammad Bin Haider and John Bamsey, Chief Operating Officer, IHG and signified the third development agreement between the two companies.

Speaking at the signing, John Bamsey, Chief Operating Officer, IHG, Middle East and Africa, said: "Crowne Plaza is widely recognised around the globe as providing quality accommodation for business travellers.  We are very happy to be, once again, working alongside MOBH to develop the UAE's fourth Crowne Plaza property, and our third property with this very highly regarded business partner, in the UAE.

"Crowne Plaza Dubai - IMPZ will be in a convenient location, providing much needed accommodation to international business travellers, who will visit this district daily. IHG is committed to providing these corporate travellers with high-quality accommodation that meets the needs of their very busy lifestyles."

Crowne Plaza Dubai - IMPZ will comprise 250 rooms and 70 serviced apartments and will be ideally located in the heart of one of Dubai's newest business hubs, the International Media Production Zone (IMPZ), a key location set to house top media companies from across the globe.

Ensuring business travellers have the opportunity to relax and unwind, Crowne Plaza Dubai - IMPZ offers an all day dining restaurant, two speciality restaurants plus a rooftop bar and restaurant.  Additional facilities will include a swimming pool and gymnasium.

Commenting at the signing, Omar Mohammad Bin Haider, MOBH, said: "We are delighted to be developing our third property with IHG. Our two companies have a strong business history together, with two Holiday Inn properties already in operation within the UAE. We look forward to further expanding our hospitality portfolio with IHG into the future."

Currently there are 13 Crowne Plaza Hotels and 3,538 rooms across the Middle East and Africa, with a further six properties and 2,216 rooms in the development pipeline.

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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's portfolio within the UAE numbered nine properties as of 31 March 2008, comprising three InterContinental, three Crowne Plaza, two Holiday Inn and one Express by Holiday Inn hotels

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

For further press information please contact:
Impact Porter Novelli
PO Box 19791
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Contact: Anna Donnison, Consultant
Tel: 9714 3304030 Ext: 428
Fax: 9714 3304031
E-mail: a.donnison@ipn.ae 

© Press Release 2008