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 The InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed up to a strategic partnership with Aldar Properties that will result in the development of a number of new IHG-branded hotels in Abu Dhabi. The new agreement has been struck amid a surge in new developments in the UAE capital, as Abu Dhabi invests US$136bn to develop business and tourism assets – intending to increase visitor numbers from 1.35m in 2006 to 3m by 2015.
The star of the show will be a spectacular new InterContinental hotel, scheduled to open in 2011 at the Al Dana precinct within Aldar’s Al Raha beach development. The hotel, providing world-class accommodation and facilities in a spectacular waterfront location, will include more than 300 rooms and suites, along with a high-tech conference facility.
Before this, the partnership is set to develop a Crowne Plaza hotel with 430 rooms and apartments, and Abu Dhabi’s first Staybridge Suites hotel, which will have 165 suites and superb extended-stay facilities. Both hotels will be located in the heart of Aldar’s YAS Island development, with close proximity to the F1 racetrack, links golf course and the island’s theme parks. The hotels will commence development shortly, and are scheduled to open in 2009.
Andrew Cosslett, IHG’s chief executive, is looking forward to the developments. ‘Aldar Properties are a very substantial developer and investor with impressive plans for hospitality development in Abu Dhabi,’ he says. ‘Their developments are in prime locations with an exciting range of facilities, and this strategic partnership will allow IHG to build on our existing presence in Abu Dhabi, as well as adding new IHG branded hotels to our portfolio. We are looking forward to working with the Aldar Hotels & Hospitality team on these projects and others going forward.’
Aldar Hotels & Hospitality is poised to play a major role in the development of Abu Dhabi’s hotel and hospitality sector. Its managing director, Paul Bell, is looking forward to a long and successful relationship with IHG, who are the largest and best-known international operator in the region. ‘IHG’s scale and brands fit very well with Aldar Hotels & Hospitality’s strategic aim of partnering leading brands and operators with our exceptional locations,’ he says, ‘and we look forward to extending the relationship in the near future.’
IHG currently has 73 properties and 18,105 rooms across four hotel brands in the Middle East and Africa regions. There are a further 37 properties and 9,371 rooms in the development pipeline.
Contact
Website: www.ihg.com
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