IHG and Trans Orient Group break ground on first Crowne Plaza in Qatar

This is the first property under the Crowne Plaza brand in Doha, and is in line with IHG's expansion plans for the Middle East.

Heading the press conference was H.E Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani, owner of the Trans Orient Group, and John Bamsey, Chief Operating Officer, IHG, Middle East & Africa. Also in attendance were, Dr Ahmed Obaidan, General Manager, Trans Orient Group, Fathi Abu Rish, Executive Manager of Sheikh Mohammed's office, Samir A. Shafei, Hospitality Consultant for Trans Orient Group, Rani Gharbié, Director of Development MEA for IHG, Ibrahim M Jaidah, Managing Director, Arab Engineering Group and Faisal Abdulla Khalid Al Mana, Vice Chairman of REDCO.

"Our country's benevolent and visionary leaders launched the Qatar National Vision 2030 last year to steer economic development into the business, education and cultural sectors to diversify Qatar's portfolio and to contribute towards its growth,"

said H.E Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani.

"We believe the tourism sector has tremendous potential. The country is expanding its airport and airline in line with projected visitor growth of 1.4m tourists by the end of 2010. Crowne Plaza Doha The Business Park is well positioned to contribute towards the increased visitor demand, particularly to that driven by the business park that the hotel will sit within. It gives me great pleasure to attend the ground breaking ceremony and look forward to building a long and lasting relationship with IHG," H.E Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani concluded.

Crowne Plaza Doha The Business Park will be centrally located within the city's newest business district, currently under development and only two kilometers from Doha International Airport. The hotel has been designed with a focus on high-level individual service, comfort and business facilities. With easy access to the business park's major conference centre and office towers, the hotel will provide the perfect base for business travelers.

"Qatar's economy has shown continuous growth since we first signed Crowne Plaza Doha The Business Park, with Trans Orient Group in 2008. The development of the Business Park that the hotel will reside in, close to the city and the airport, is the perfect site for us to place a Crowne Plaza as the brands positioning and product is aligned towards catering to the discerning business traveler," said John Bamsey, Chief Operating Officer IHG Middle East and Africa.

"Business travel has certainly increased in the country, accounting for 65% of total visitors to Qatar annually. The country has made its mark as a business hub regionally and globally and is also recognized as a key destination for meetings and corporate events. We are honored to be invited here by His Excellency, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani, to share this pivotal moment of breaking ground, signifying commencement of our first Crowne Plaza development in Qatar. We look forward to working with our partners Trans Orient Group in building this key business hotel property and in strengthening our relationship with a view to develop future projects with them," said Bamsey.

Incorporating 265 hotel rooms and 83 serviced apartments, the property will include a fully-equipped business centre with state-of-the-art facilities will also form part of the hotels services, ensuring Crowne Plaza Doha The Business Park becomes a focal point for both guests from both local and international companies to conduct business.

IHG currently operates one property in Qatar, InterContinental Doha, with a further hotel, InterContinental Doha West Bay, under development.