InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, said it aims to increase the number of hotel rooms across the Middle East region by almost 30 per cent in the next three to five years, as the company opens 37 hotels in its current pipeline.
 
With a strong presence across segments, IHG’s current hotel portfolio in the Middle East includes brands such as InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and the newly launched upscale brand, voco.
 
In line with the strategy to accelerate growth, in 2018, IHG had its highest number of signings in MEA in a decade, with the addition of 21 hotels and over 5,200 rooms to its pipeline, said the top hospitality group.
 
In 2019 thus far, the company has signed six hotels in the Middle East and a Master Development Agreement in Africa, it added.
 
Earlier this month, the company debuted its upscale brand voco in the region with its launch in Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Road. IHG will also be unveiling the first Hotel Indigo in the Middle East, in the city later this year.
 
Along with a focus on upscale and luxury offerings, IHG said it has dedicated efforts to increase its midscale portfolio in the region, which currently represent almost half (46 per cent) of its upcoming projects.
 
Consolidating this commitment, IHG signed two Holiday Inn hotels in Saudi Arabia and two Staybridge Suites properties in Dubai earlier this month, both of which represent priority markets for the company, said a statement.
 
On the expansion plans, Pascal Gauvin, the managing director, (India, Middle East and Africa), said: "We have a long-standing history in the Middle East, and we remain committed to the region. With the progress of significant strategic initiatives such as Saudi Vision 2030 and Dubai Expo 2020 to promote the region, we see tremendous opportunities to grow further and diversify our offering to suit varied guest profiles."
 
"We are focused on developing scale by building on our well-established relationships with long-standing partners and collaborating with new owners to drive growth across key markets within the Middle East.”
 
Bastien Blanc, VP (Operations) Middle East, said: "IHG was the first international hotel brand to enter the Middle East almost 60 years ago and since then we have built a solid portfolio of offerings for a broad range of guests."
 
"Saudi Arabia and UAE remain priority markets for us and various strategic initiatives by the government are set to boost the appeal of both destinations to diverse categories of travellers, across the world," he stated.
 
"As a global operator with a strong portfolio of preferred brands, robust revenue delivery systems and distribution networks, extensive MICE capabilities, as well as a loyalty program with global scale, we are rapidly emerging as the preferred partner across hotel segments that include family and leisure travel, religious tourism, luxury stays and business travel as well," he added.-TradeArabia News Service

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