Tom Rowntree, vice president, commercial, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) MEA, finds the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference is an excellent opportunity to meet like minded partners in a dedicated environment.
The AHIC is now a part of IHG’s regional marketing plan due to the growing importance of the MEA region on the tourism map and IHG’s leading position here. Also, IHG currently has 75 properties across four hotel brands in the MEA region and there are a further 43 properties in the development pipeline.”
He said that investors were vital to IHG’s business and many business opportunities with existing and new investors were initiated at AHIC.
Regarding the Dubai hospitality industry, IHG believes there will be more brands introduced to the market as guests become more discerning and the market matures, although the hotel industry still has relatively few market segments with many solely based on price.
“In general guests want more personalisation and hotels that are directly aimed at their wants and needs. Hotels cannot continue to try to please all of the people all of the time. Hotel brands must be distinctive and stand for something. Looking ahead, IHG is waging a ‘War on Beige’ and will be focused on delivering distinctive brands that are targeted at specific user groups.”
“IHG’s first limited service hotel in the Middle East, Express by Holiday Inn Dubai Internet City, has performed above expectations. Further to this IHG will also open its first unique extended-stay concept later this year, Staybridge Suites.”
Although in reality a relatively small contributor to the global environmental issue, the tourism industry - and IHG as one of the world’s leading hotel companies - has a responsibility to treat the subject of sustainability and environment very seriously and we are committed to respecting both the environment and the communities in which we operate.