Riyadh, 9 November 2008
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the signing of an exclusive agreement with Hedley International Syria Ltd. to develop Syria’s first Holiday Inn in the country’s historic capital, Damascus.
Due for completion in early 2011, Holiday Inn Damascus Old City is justified on a 2,000m² site in the city centre. Located close to the main commercial and business districts, the 300-room property is within walking distance of many historic local landmarks including the Citadel, Omayad Mosque and Al Hamidieh Souq.
John Bamsey, Chief Operating Officer, IHG, Middle East & Africa, commented: “Holiday Inn is one of the world’s most recognised hotel brands and we look forward to bringing the brand to Syria, in partnership with Hedley International Syria Ltd. The introduction of Holiday Inn into the country represents IHG’s continued expansion across the region, following our development announcement regarding the InterContinental Damascus earlier this year. The agreement also demonstrates our ability to stay one step ahead of the diversifying Middle East tourism trade.”
“Holiday Inn Damascus Old City will cater for an increasingly justified market sector, searching for high quality and great value accommodation in Damascus,” he continued
Designed with both business and leisure travellers in mind, the hotel, will incorporate numerous dining options including an all-day restaurant, a specialty restaurant, the lobby bar and a nightclub. Corporate guests will further benefit from a full business centre and three meeting rooms, each equipped with the latest facilities.
Mr. Mohammed Al Refaey, the Owner and Chairman of Hedley International Syria Ltd., commented: “Hedley International Syria Ltd. is honoured to be working with IHG to bring the first Holiday Inn to Syria. With the Syrian Government investing heavily in tourism, there is great potential to grow the hospitality sector throughout the country and we look forward to being part of this exciting development.”
A guest laundry, retail stores and a gym, complete with the latest in fitness equipment, have also been incorporated into the design of the property to provide guests with a refreshing and comfortable stay.
-Ends-
About InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms. IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 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 39 million members worldwide.
IHG has more than 1,700 hotels in its development pipeline, which will create 150,000 jobs worldwide over the next few years.
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group’s holding company and is incorporated in and registered.
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 information please contact:
Malik Abdullrahman
Asda’a Burson-Marstellar
Riyadh, KSA
T: +966 1 2177250
F: +966 1 4640051
M: +966 503 44 7595
M.Abdullrahman@asdaa.com
© Press Release 2008 from ASDA’A Public Relations
