Holiday Inn expands in Saudi Arabia

Due to open in July 2009, the 180 room Holiday Inn Al Khobar Corniche will operate under the new Holiday Inn brand standards.

Present at the signing was John Bamsey, chief operating officer, IHG Middle East and Africa, Mosaad Al Hokair, managing director of Al Hokair Group, Michel Karam, advisor to executive VP, Nabil Hijazi, hotel division managing director and Rani Gharbié, director of development MEA, IHG.

"In 2007, we announced a $1bn worldwide relaunch of the Holiday Inn brand family to create improved consistency and service levels, as well as a more contemporary brand image," said John Bamsey, chief operating officer, IHG, Middle East and Africa (MEA) at the signing.

"We now have more than 700 Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels operating under the new standards worldwide. At relaunched hotels we have seen an uplift in RevPAR and more importantly improved guest satisfaction. We are confident the Holiday Inn Al Khobar Corniche will enjoy the benefits of the new Holiday Inn brand standards."

Holiday Inn Al Khobar Corniche will have two meeting rooms with a capacity of 120 people and a ballroom with for 800 people. The hotel will also have a coffee shop, operated by Coffee Shop Co., and a restaurant serving international cuisine.

Bamsey added, "With Holiday Inn we have built a relationship with frequent business and leisure travellers by understanding their needs for services, facilities and convenient locations and that is exactly what the Holiday Inn Al Khobar Corniche will deliver."

The property will be located in Al Khobar's corniche, the heart of the city close to the business and commercial centre, making it attractive to both business and leisure guests.

Mosaad Al Hokair, Managing Director, Al Hokair Group said, "We are extremely pleased to be developing our sixth Holiday Inn in the Kingdom. The Saudi Government Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SGCTA) has a robust plan in place to increase the tourism industry's share in the country's gross domestic product from six to 16% by 2020. We are proud to be contributing to that plan with our partner IHG whom we can rely on to support our objectives."

According to the latest United Nations World Statistics Pocket Book and Statistical Yearbook, Saudi Arabia ranks 30th in the world in terms of tourist arrivals, welcoming 3.594m tourists.

More than 342,000 employees are working in tourism sector in the Kingdom in areas related to hotels, resorts, furnished apartments, cafes, travel agencies, transportation and entertainment.