Holiday Inn Named Best Mid-Market Hotel Brand in Asia Pacific and the World for Eight Years in a Row

Winners Determined by Business Traveller Asia Pacific's Annual Readership Poll

Singapore, 19 September 2008 - The world's most recognised hotel brand, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, has been named the Best Mid-Market Hotel Brand in the World and Best Mid-Market Hotel Brand in Asia Pacific at the Business Traveller Asia Pacific Awards for eight successive years.  The coveted Business Traveller Asia Pacific Awards reflect the views of frequent business travellers who take part in its annual survey of travel-related services. The survey results are independently analysed by global market research company Synovate.

Peter Gowers, chief executive, IHG Asia Pacific, said: "We are very honoured to be voted by business travellers to be the best brand in the mid-scale segment year after year since 2001. The recognition and accolades clearly show that Holiday Inn continues to deliver the levels of service, comfort and value that appeal to frequent travellers.  We certainly don't take our leadership for granted.  That is why we have embarked on the Holiday Inn global relaunch on a scale unmatched in the history of the hospitality industry.  These changes being made are all based on insights gained from IHG's consumer research which was also the largest taken in the hospitality industry."

In October 2007, IHG announced the $1-billion relaunch of the Holiday Inn brand.  The brand is being relaunched to create a more contemporary brand image, enhance quality and drive consistency across all hotels worldwide.  The relaunch focuses on the things that matter most to customers when they think about quality - great beds, great showers and fantastic service with a more up to date look.

Gary Rosen, senior vice-president sales & marketing, IHG Asia-Pacific received the award in Hong Kong SAR, said: "Holiday Inn is the world's most recognised hotel brand. It revolutionised travel accommodation when it was launched in 1952 and continues to be a brand leader in ways that provide consumers with what they need in an affordable and comfortable hotel accommodation."

There are currently over 3,200 Holiday Inns globally, including 108 in Asia Pacific.  Holiday Inn is the largest hotel brand in China. The most recent significant Holiday Inn signings in the region include those in Vietnam, South Korea, India and Indonesia.

Media Contacts:

Sheo S. Rai
IHG Asia Pacific
+65 6395 6074
[email protected]

Kelly Leahy
Ruder Finn Asia
+65 9489 3364
[email protected]
 

Notes to Editors:

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms. IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 4,000 hotels and more than 590,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, Candlewood Suites® and Hotel Indigo®, and also manages the world’s largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority Club® Rewards with over 39 million members worldwide.

IHG has more than 1,700 hotels in its development pipeline, which will create 150,000 jobs worldwide over the next few years.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group’s holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.

IHG offers information and online reservations for all its hotel brands at www.ihg.com and information for the Priority Club Rewards programme at www.priorityclub.com. For the latest news from IHG, visit our online Press Office at www.ihg.com/media