InterContinental Hotels Group today announced it has secured 24 new projects in the past 12 months in Asia Pacific. With a clear well-defined strategy, the company has accelerated growth with the enhancement of its brand portfolio and presence through strategic partnerships centering on quality property assets in high growth markets such as Australia, New Zealand, China and key markets in South East Asia.

InterContinental Hotels Group announced its new hotel projects at the 6th Annual Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Conference 2003, where the organisation's managing director, A. Patrick Imbardelli, participated in a panel discussion on strategies hotel companies can employ to seize opportunities and ensure sustainable momentum and growth moving forward. The panel also highlighted the future direction of the global hotel industry.

"As one of the most progressive hotel organisations in Asia, we are active and constantly exploring opportunities with business partners that have strong track records in successful, long-term ventures in hotels and properties. We are focused on delivering our promise and strongly believe that our expertise and experience will help us to drive value and asset enhancement," said A. Patrick Imbardelli, Managing Director, InterContinental Hotels Group Asia Pacific.

Mr. Imbardelli elaborated, "As an industry leader, we are in a sound position to weather economic downturns and take advantage of stronger economies in the region. It also allows us to tap into the depth and breadth of knowledge within our organisation and share it with our partners. Our presence in nearly 100 countries means we have significant advantages in the areas of marketing, technology and infrastructure to enhance growth and profitability. To help our hotels increase revenues and operating margins, we leverage these benefits to operate a highly efficient support infrastructure for the hotels."

On the Move in Asia Pacific

Among its most recent management contract wins, InterContinental Hotels Group has assumed management of two hotels in Bangkok - the InterContinental Bangkok and proposed Holiday Inn Bangkok (currently President Hotel Bangkok); two hotels in Manila - Holiday Inn Galleria Manila currently operating and Crowne Plaza Manila under construction; and two hotels in Perth - InterContinental Burswood Perth and the proposed Holiday Inn Burswood. In addition, 20 further projects are currently in the ever evolving pipeline, comprising more than 7,000 rooms.

Commenting on the organisation's focus in the Asia Pacific region, Tony South, Senior Vice President, Development and Asset Management, InterContinental Hotels Group Asia Pacific, said, "Globally, Asia Pacific as a region is a key development priority for InterContinental Hotels Group as it presents many opportunities for both international and domestic travel markets. Countries such as Thailand and Malaysia are already major destinations and conference venues for leisure and business travellers and Vietnam is fast gaining popularity as a tourism and investment destination. We see great potential in extending our distribution network and growing our brand portfolio exponentially in the next three years."

As part of the company's expansion plans in the region, China, Australia and New Zealand continue to be important markets for InterContinental Hotels Group due to strong international and domestic corporate travel demand within these countries and the increasing brand equity that the group's Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza and InterContinental hotels enjoy.

Projects

1. InterContinental Bangkok
2. InterContinental Burswood Resort Perth
3. InterContinental Midplaza Jakarta
4. Crowne Plaza Alice Springs
5. Crowne Plaza Dalian
6. Crowne Plaza Darwin
7. Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila
8. Crowne Plaza Newcastle
9. Crowne Plaza Park View Wuzhou Beijing
10. Holiday Inn Asiaworld Taipei
11. HoIiday Inn Bangkok
12. Holiday Inn Burswood Perth
13. Holiday Inn Central Plaza Beijing
14. Holiday Inn Darling Harbour
15. HoIiday Inn Esplanade Darwin
16. Holiday Inn Galleria Manila
17. Holiday Inn Hohhot
18. Holiday Inn Huashan
19. Holiday Inn Wellington
20. Holiday Inn Penrith Panthers
21. Holiday Inn Rooty Hill
22. Holiday Inn Shunde
23. Holiday Inn Vista Shanghai
24. Holiday Inn Yueyang