01 August 2008

IHG unveils signing of new InterContinental Hotels and Resorts property in Kuwait

IHG and Bukhamseen Holding Group have signed an exclusive agreement to develop InterContinental Kuwait Downtown.  Set to open in early 2010, the property will cater for the high-end intra-regional and international business travel sector and completes a multi-tier product portfolio in Kuwait in partnership with Bukhamseen Group.

"The new InterContinental Kuwait Downtown will be the fifth Kuwait property to be backed by the Bukhamseen Group. We are extremely proud of this partnership and hope to collaborate on more developments in the future," commented John Bamsey, Chief Operating Officer IHG Middle East & Africa. "IHG currently manages one Crowne Plaza and one Holiday Inn hotel under Bukhamseen and we have also recently made a joint announcement about the launch of two Staybridge Suites properties to cater for the extended stay market.

"Kuwait is one of the region's most important business markets and there is significant need for more lavish and elegant hotel rooms coupled with modern business facilities; having the InterContinental brand present will cater to this demand. IHG's growth in Kuwait is testament to the confidence IHG has in the country and its thriving corporate travel industry," concluded Bamsey.

InterContinental Kuwait Downtown will be located in close proximity to the government and business district in central Kuwait city, with several shopping and entertainment options nearby as well. The luxurious property will feature a total of 200 beautifully decorated and furnished rooms which includes 120 king rooms, 60 twin rooms and 20 magnificent suites. Targeted at the high-end and savvy business traveller looking for enriching experiences, InterContinental Kuwait Downtown will be perfect for those visiting this small, yet booming Middle Eastern emirate.

Emad Bukhamseen, Chairman of Bukhamseen Group, said: "The signing of InterContinental Kuwait Downtown is representative of the deep and valued relationship we have developed with IHG. The Kuwaiti government launched a 20 year tourism plan in 2005 to allow for the development of the travel and tourism sector, with a key focus on business tourism growth, so as to diversify Kuwait's national income. Through these government initiatives we are keen to expand our operations in Kuwait's hospitality industry, and with a partner like IHG, we are sure to reach our development targets."

Inline with the increasingly rich and affluent tastes of business visitors to Kuwait, InterContinental Kuwait Downtown will offer three diverse food and beverage outlets including an all day dining restaurant and two speciality restaurants, all with the capacity to welcome at least 150 diners.

State-of-the-art meeting facilities and a banquet hall with over 600 sqm of space add to the world-class amenities on offer, which demonstrate IHG's commitment to the strong future of Kuwait as a key destination on the global business traveller map. In addition, a fully-equipped business centre and gymnasium will be available to all guests.

Currently there are 36 InterContinental Hotels and 10,900 rooms across the Middle East and Africa 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 410 247
Email:  [email protected]


Andrew Smith
PR Director EMEA
Tel:      + 44 (0) 1753 410 346
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. IHG is the first major hotel group to have measured the environmental and carbon footprints of hotels that operate under our brands globally and is in the process of setting reduction targets.

With more than 1,600 hotels in its development pipeline, IHG needs to recruit 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 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

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