InterContinental Hotels Group brings its world to 400 GCC travel trade professionals

Aiming to raise awareness in the region about its presence in some of the world's most recognisable destinations, the roadshow includes six main events in Bahrain, Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

On April 24th the tour hit a high point as InterContinental Hotels Group invited over 100 guests to the recently renovated and upgraded 'Zinc' at Crowne Plaza Dubai. As well as interactive workshops showcasing the best of what the group's key global properties have to offer there was also the chance to socialise in the evening with dinner, cocktails and entertainment.

"With outbound tourism trips from the Middle East expected to reach 44.8 million by 2010, it is clearly an increasingly vital market globally and key that we ensure all potential travellers here are made aware of the vast and diverse products that InterContinental Hotels Group has around the world."

"This year our GCC roadshow represents a consolidated approach to delivering world-class service to our key stakeholders which include the region's travel trade professionals and government and protocol clients," said Tom Rowntree, Vice President Sales and Marketing, InterContinental Hotels Group, Middle East and Africa.

Participating properties include InterContinental hotels located in London, Paris, Hong Kong, Beijing, Doha, Malaysia and Lebanon with the Crowne Plaza brand represented by Amman, Kuwait, and Jeddah hotels and the Holiday Inn brand represented by Holiday Inn Downtown Kuwait, Holiday Inn London Mayfair and Holiday Inn Kensington, London.

With the events in Bahrain and Kuwait successfully behind them, the next roadshow is set for April 25th (tomorrow) at the recently renovated InterContinental Abu Dhabi, where delegates will get one of the first opportunities to view the vast Club Lounge and the hotel's new, world-class business and leisure facilities. Finally, the group will host two events in Saudi Arabia aimed at meeting key decision-makers in the country and tapping into to this crucial emerging market.

"As well as providing travel professionals in each destination with the most up-to-date information on our systems and our properties, the roadshow will provide a unique opportunity for global hotel representatives to meet with regional clients in a relaxed environment," said Sarah Marron, Director of Global Sales, InterContinental Hotels Group, Middle East.