Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG), in partnership with Ishraq Gulf Real Estate Holding, officially opened the Holiday Inn Express at Dubai Airport. The 381 room hotel is the eighth Holiday Inn Express across the Middle East and Africa, and the fourth in Dubai. CEO of IHG, Andy Cosslett, said “IHG opened its first hotel in the UAE 35 years ago and we have continued to invest in the UAE and build on this rich heritage to become one of the biggest hotel operators in the country.” IHG currently has 16 existing properties and seven hotels under development in the UAE.
John Ramsey, Chief Operating officer of IHG MEA, noted that the Gulf markets have been dominated by luxury hotel brands in the past, but as markets mature and develop, customers look for trusted brands. Ishraq is the exclusive developer of the Holiday Inn Express brand in the GCC (excluding Saudi Arabia) and will be responsible for operating and managing the new property. Ishraq Gulf Real Estate Holding is majority owned by Dubai International Capital, the investment arm of Dubai Holding
