In 2012 Ukraine will jointly host the Euro 2012 football championships; the final will be played at Kiev's Olympic stadium, this brand is getting ready.

The first Crowne Plaza hotel in the Ukraine capital is the 225 Crowne Plaza Kiev.

(Image: The New Shakhtar Stadium - go2kiev.com)

IHG has already signed agreements to develop the InterContinental Kiev, due to open end 2008, and Holiday Inn Kiev, due to open end 2009.

The Crowne Plaza Kiev is being developed by owner ITT-Plaza, part of the major Ukrainian investment company ITT Investment Group. The hotel will be run by IHG under a 15-year management contract.

According to the World Bank, Ukraine has enjoyed on average more than 5% GDP growth in the 10 years to end-2005; this number has been rising ever since.

IHG's Chief Operating Officer Continental Europe Robin Wicks said:

"This is a very exciting time to be developing hotels in the Ukrainian capital; there is a strong demand which will only grow from both business and leisure travellers. ITT-Plaza brings enormous knowledge and experience to the relationship – and IHG is delighted to be working with them on our first Crowne Plaza in Kiev."

ITT's President Oksana Markarova, said:

"This development is a major investment and opportunity for Kiev. The Crowne Plaza brand and product is perfect  - and IHG's expertise in managing hotels is second-to-none. We look forward to opening the doors in 2012."