Intercontinental Hotels Group's Express by Holiday Inn ready to make Middle East debut

The market is eagerly anticipating the introduction of the new brand - which will make its regional debut in Dubai, Jeddah and Riyadh by the year 2006 - as InterContinental Hotels Group's budget hotel concept has already proved exceptionally popular in trend-setting markets including the U.S. and Europe. Designed and purpose-built for the price conscious business and leisure traveller, Express by Holiday Inn hotels have cornered the market by catering for short-term guests.

Developed by InterContinental Hotels Group to meet the needs of the fastest growing market, Express by Holiday Inn is the world's largest budget brand and is growing rapidly. To be unveiled at this year's Arabian Travel Market, the group will be proudly showcasing this never-before-seen concept for the Middle East.

Worldwide, there are more than 1,450 Express by Holiday Inn properties with more than 120,000 rooms.

"Budget travellers are now the largest sector of the burgeoning travel industry and that worldwide trend is being mirrored right here in the Middle East where there has been a shift in the market due to the growth of the middle class throughout the GCC," said Chris Moloney, Chief Operating Office InterContinental Hotels Group Middle East and Africa.

The introduction of Express by Holiday Inn will further entrench InterContinental Hotels Group as the largest multi-branded hotel operator in the Middle East. With the Middle East's first Express by Holiday Inn hotels to open by 2006 in Dubai, Jeddah and Riyadh, the company has plans to launch 25 to 30 of the properties in the next five years.

As the largest hotel operator in the Middle East, InterContinental Hotels Group has more than 70 InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn properties across the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Kenya, Eritrea, Zambia and Gabon.

"The introduction of Express by Holiday Inn demonstrates InterContinental Hotels Group's ability to adapt to market needs. By watching the market and being actively involved in the Middle East and Africa, we have noticed the demand for a branded and consistent quality budget product. We are thrilled to pioneer the market and also these opening will reinforce our company's position as the largest multi-branded hotel operator in the Middle East," added Moloney.

With all of the Express by Holiday Inn properties offering the convenience of guaranteed advance bookings and consistent quality at an affordable price, this concept is set to take the Middle East by storm.

In Saudi Arabia, Express by Holiday Inn will be owned and developed by SREDCO (Saudi Real Estate Development Company) a specialised and professional real estate group and holy owned subsidiary of Alesayi Group of Companies.

SREDCO has a roll out plan of a total of 12 hotels throughout Saudi Arabia, all operating by 2009. "Each of the hotels will be a new building offering consistent standards of service and modern facilities, but without some of the extra services you will find in our other IHG hotels" explained Chris Moloney, Chief Operating Officer, InterContinental Hotels Group, Middle East and Africa.

Express by Holiday Inn will offer guests our very successful priority club rewards system and be part of the Holidex reservation system.