InterContinental Hotels Group`s market dominance in China received another major boost with the signing of nine new management contracts…
InterContinental Hotels Group`s market dominance in China received another major boost with the signing of nine new management contracts . The signing, which took place at last night`s cocktail event at Crowne Plaza Park View Wuzhou in Beijing, attended by Group Chief Executive Mr Richard North, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Mr A. Patrick Imbardelli, as well as the Asia Pacific management team and members of the media. In addition to scoring yet another industry first for signing the most number of deals at one time, this event also marked the debut of Express by Holiday Inn in Greater
China. Two of the nine new hotels will fly the Express by Holiday Inn flag. And of the other new hotels being added to the Group`s portfolio, one is an InterContinental Hotel, three are Holiday Inn Hotels and three are Crowne Plaza Hotels.
Mr Imbardelli Said, “The Chinese market is ready for Express by Holiday Inn. With the strong economic outlook and the projected increase in domestic travel and in the number of independent travellers coming into China, Express by Holiday Inn will enable us to fully tap into this burgeoning segment.”
There are currently over 1,350 Express by Holiday Inn hotels around the world. Each provides value-oriented guests with a fresh, modern and uncomplicated accommodation option. Express by Holiday Inn was established in the early 1990s and has earned a reputation as an international leader in its market segment. Offering comfort, convenience and good value, Express by Holiday Inn appeals to smart travellers who place a premium on efficiency and simplicity.
“These latest deals will augment our presence in Greater China and are concrete proof that we are indeed the partner of choice. Our growing portfolio clearly demonstrates that our partners recognise the value of our award-winning brands and have a deep confidence in our ability to deliver memorable guest experiences and exceptional business performance. We are pioneers in the hotel industry in China and have been unwavering in our commitment. This is a key market for us and we will continue to nurture our partner relationships and build on our successes here,” added Mr Imbardelli.
The InterContinental Hotels Group opened its first hotel, the Holiday Inn Lido, in Beijing in 1984. Now 20 years on, the Group has 26 Holiday Inn Hotels in China. There are also 15 Crowne Plaza Hotels and four InterContinental Hotels. “With our current 45 hotels, we already have the widest distribution network in China. The new deals are part of our sustained expansion plan and will help ensure that our leadership position in China remains secure. The deals indicate that we are on track to doubling our numbers in China within the next three years. Our 20th year of operation in China is definitely off to a brilliant start,” said Mr Imbardelli.
New additions to China Portfolio
InterContinental Moon Valley Beijing will open in 2007. Owned by the Dongrun Group, the proposed hotel will be located near the “Water Basin of Beijing” the Miyun Reservoir. With 280 rooms, 25 villas, seven food and beverage outlets, multiple meeting rooms and a multi-functional banquet room, this proposed hotel will provide the best leisure, meeting and convention facilities in the area.
Scheduled to open early next year, the proposed Crowne Plaza Longgang Shenzhen in Guangdong province is a 300-room hotel, situated in the centre of Longgang district, in Shenzhen. Offering premium accommodation with enhanced meetings services and the latest in communication, information and entertainment technology, the new proposed hotel is owned by real estate developer Shenzhen Zhilianjia Industrial Co. Ltd. The other InterContinental Hotels Group hotels in Shenzhen are Holiday Inn Donghua Shenzhen and Crowne Plaza Shenzhen.
The proposed 300-room Crowne Plaza Tianjin will be located in Nan Kai district, a major commercial area in Tianjin.
The proposed hotel, which will open next year, is close to the famous Commercial Street and is owned by Tianjin Longqiao Real Estate Development Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of real estate developer, Tianjin Pharmaceutical Group. The proposed hotel is part of a complex that will also include a shopping mall, offices and residential apartments. The new hotel will be InterContinental Hotels Group`s second in the city, after Holiday Inn Tianjin.
By the end of next year, the proposed Crowne Plaza Science City Guangzhou in Guangdong province will also welcome its first guests. This 350-room hotel is owned by Guangzhou Science City Entrepreneur Service Centre Co., Ltd, a sub-company of Guangdong Kingtown Group. This will be InterContinental Hotels Group`s third hotel in Guangzhou Science City, after Holiday Inn City Centre Guangzhou and Holiday Inn Shifu Guangzhou. Located about 30 minutes from the airport, the new proposed hotel will have dedicated business amenities and facilities that will ensure successful business meetings.
The proposed Holiday Inn Changshu in Jiangsu province will be first internationally branded hotel in Changshu city.
Located in the heart of a rapidly developing zone close to the Changshu City Government Office and Exhibition Centre, the proposed hotel, owned by Changshu Zhong Jiang Import & Export Company Limited, will have 250 rooms and is scheduled to open in 2006.
And when the proposed 271-room Holiday Inn North Chongqing opens in Sichuan province in 2006, it will be the InterContinental Hotels Group`s third hotel in Chongqing, after Holiday Inn Yangtze Chongqing and the InterContinental Chongqing. Chongqing Changan Real Estate Development Co. Ltd. owns the new proposed hotel. It will be conveniently located at the junction of two main districts, the Yubei and Jiangbei districts, which are close to a new industrial development zone and several upmarket residential projects.
Erdos State Guest House, belonging to the Erdos City Government, owns the proposed Holiday Inn Erdos, InterContinental Hotels Group`s second hotel in Inner Mongolia. Located a mere five minutes from the city’s main train station, the proposed new hotel will occupy an area of about 29,000 sqm. Phase I of the project will have 144-rooms and upon completion of Phase II, there will be a total of 220 guest rooms. The hotel is scheduled to open by the end of this year and will be equipped with quality meeting and recreational facilities, including a multi-function room that can accommodate up to 400 guests. The expected opening date of the hotel is end 2004.
Situated in the heart of Xi`an city`s business and shopping district is the proposed Express by Holiday Inn Bell Tower Xi`an. It will be just 500m north of the city`s central point and local icon, the Xi`an Bell Tower. The proposed 300-room hotel, owned by Xian Wanye Housing and Real Estate Development Co. Ltd, a JV real estate development company, is scheduled to open in 2006.
And already open for business, is the re-branded, 271-room Express by Holiday Inn Zhengzhou in Henan province. It is situated in the city centre, close to the provincial government offices and shopping areas. The hotel is owned by Zhong Zhou Guesthouse Co. Ltd, which also owns Crowne Plaza Zhengzhou and Holiday Inn Zhengzhou.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
