IHG signs agreement to develop InterContinental Dead Sea

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement with Sun Days International for Tourism Investment to develop a US$70 million luxury resort, on the shores of the striking Jordanian Dead Sea.

Set to open in late 2012, InterContinental Resort Dead Sea will cater for the luxury travel sector; with opulent furnishings and facilities the resort expects to attract a wealth of guests from around the globe. Offering an unrivalled view across the spectacular Dead Sea the hotel will be perfectly placed for guests eager to discover the natural landscape and wonders of this world-renowned location. 

The development of the InterContinental Resort Dead Sea has been made in line with a strong increase in tourism numbers to the area. Other major tourist developments are already underway, with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities commencing construction of the Suweimeh National Park and the Greater Amman Municipality recently implementing a tourism project which includes; restaurants, play gardens, swimming pools and a beach area.

"We are delighted to be developing InterContinental Resort Dead Sea in partnership with Sun Days International for Tourism; this is a significant project for us and we are thrilled to have been able to secure such a great location on the shores of the stunning Dead Sea," said John Bamsey, Chief Operating Officer, IHG, Middle East & Africa. "We believe that this new property will continue to strengthen our position across the region and are committed to further establishing our presence in this rapidly developing market."

Sun Days International for Tourism Investment Founder & Chairman, Samer Abdul Kareem, said, "This is an exciting development for us and we are pleased to be working in partnership with IHG. As a company we see great potential for tourism growth in Jordan and as such are investing heavily in the region. Alongside InterContinental Resort Dead Sea we have also opened the countries first water park on the shores of the Dead Sea. We firmly believe that this property, with its idyllic location will be extremely successful."

The property will comprise 236 light and spacious rooms, including one Presidential Suite and one duplex Royal Suite, both located in the main building, as well as several secluded chalets - some with private swimming pools. In addition, the resort will include a private beach with beachfront restaurant; swimming pools, pool bar and all-day dining facilities.

A 900sqm. ballroom, state-of-the-art boardrooms and an 800sqm. luxury spa, have also been included within the properties lavish designs, which highlight IHG's commitment to providing guests to the region with first-class facilities.

IHG already has a strong presence across Jordan with five properties and 1509 rooms established. There are an additional three properties with 890 rooms in the development pipeline, furthering the company's growth in this exciting destination.

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts currently has 36 properties and 10,900  rooms in the Middle East and Africa region alone with a further 11 properties and 3,488 rooms in the development pipeline.

For further information please contact:

Suzanne Seyghal
PR Manager EMEA
Tel: +44 (0) 1753 410247
Email:  [email protected]

Jade Adnett
Communications Coordinator EMEA
Tel:  + 44 (0) 1753 410259
Email:  [email protected]

Notes to editors:

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is one of the world's largest hotel groups by number of rooms.  IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, almost 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 37 million members worldwide. 

IHG pioneered the travel industry's first collaborative response to environmental issues as founder of the International Hotels and Environment Initiative (IHEI). The environment and local communities remain at the heart of IHG's global corporate responsibility focus. We're the first major hotel group to have measured our environmental and carbon footprints and we're in the process of setting reduction targets. 

With more than 1,600 hotels in its development pipeline, IHG needs to find around 150,000 people over the next few years to meet its global expansion plans.

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 http://www.ihg.com/ and information for the Priority Club Rewards programme at http://www.priorityclub.com/.

For the latest news from IHG, visit our online Press Office at www.ihg.com/media

InterContinental Hotels Group is a registered company. For more information go to: www.ihg.com/legal