• Home:
• News:
• Holiday Inn Express:

Holiday Inn Relaunches 1,400 Hotels Globally

By: Holiday Inn Express |  6 Shares     148 Reads

Brand on track to complete relaunch by end of 2010

November 12, 2009 // Franchising.com // ATLANTA - IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel company, announces the relaunch of 1,400 Holiday Inn brand hotels globally this month. The $1 billion relaunch of Holiday Inn is the largest in the history of the hospitality industry, with more than 3,300 hotels being updated - improving quality and driving consistency at Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels around the world. The global estate is expected to be relaunched by the end of 2010.

In addition to the 3,300 open hotels, there are nearly 1,000 more in the development pipeline, due to open with the relaunched branding in the next three to four years. The relaunch program, combined with new openings and continued removal of lower quality hotels, will completely rejuvenate the Holiday Inn estate over the next few years. Early signs are positive as relaunched hotels continue to deliver RevPAR outperformance over the control group within the stated range of 3 - 7% and guest satisfaction scores remain on the rise.

"The economic environment has changed since we started the relaunch program. Now, more than ever, value has become critically important to guests. We are increasing value delivery by providing a better experience each and every time they stay with us." said Kevin Kowalski, senior vice president, Global Brand Management, Holiday Inn Brands. "Research has shown that companies, who invest in their brands during an economic downturn, actually increase their market share and end up being more profitable on the other end, further demonstrating the viability of the Holiday Inn global brand relaunch during this time."

Consumers are now moving towards hotels that offer value and quality, and looking for ways to travel smarter. Even corporate travel managers are encouraging the use of mid-market hotels more, which encourages people to try Holiday Inn again. Midscale seems sure to remain the most resilient part of the market in this economy, and Holiday Inn stands to benefit.

The relaunch focuses on the things research shows matter most to guests - a modern, contemporary hotel with efficient, friendly service and a great night's sleep. Relaunched hotels feature:

• Upgraded and decluttered lobby areas
• A Holiday Inn scent and sound
• New bedding
• Upgraded showers and bathroom amenities
• New exterior lighting and landscaping
• New signage with the redesigned logo
• All Holiday Inn employees also go through an extensive "Stay Real" training program to ensure guests receive the level of service they expect.

"By making these changes and focusing on what matters most to our guests, we are able to adapt the Holiday Inn brand and make it relevant to our guests for the next 50 years," said Kowalski.

ABOUT HOLIDAY INN RELAUNCH

Holiday Inn is in the midst of the biggest relaunch in hospitality history creating a more contemporary brand image including a new logo, and driving consistency in all Holiday Inn brand family hotels around the world. With over 1,400 hotels already relaunched worldwide, the completion of the relaunch of the global estate is expected to be completed in 2010.

ABOUT HOLIDAY INN

With nearly 1,400 hotels worldwide, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts is the most widely recognized lodging brand in the world. In fact, Holiday Inn was one of the first international hotel brands to establish a presence in China in 1984. Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts provides the services that business travelers need, while also offering a comfortable atmosphere where all people can relax and enjoy amenities such as restaurants and room service, swimming pools, fitness centers and comfortable lounges. The casual atmosphere and amenities such as meeting and on-site business facilities, KidSuites rooms, Kids Eat and Stay Free programs, and the ability to earn Priority Club Rewards points that can be redeemed for great merchandise, airline miles or free room nights, demonstrate the long-standing commitment of Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts to serving travelers and have helped to establish the brand as "America's Favorite Hotel."

ABOUT HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS

Holiday Inn Express hotels are modern hotels for value-oriented travelers. Fresh, clean and uncomplicated, Holiday Inn Express hotels offer competitive rates for both business and leisure travelers. Guests Stay Smart® at Holiday Inn Express hotels where they enjoy a free hot Express Start® Breakfast Bar, free high-speed internet access and free local phone calls (US and Canada only). There are currently more than 2,000 Holiday Inn Express hotel locations around the globe.

Media Contacts: Natasha Gullett, IHG, natasha.gullett@ihg.com, +1(770) 604-5597 Sarah-Ann Soffer, IHG, sarahann.soffer@ihg.com, +1(770) 604-2707

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, nearly 4,400 hotels and over 640,000 guest rooms in 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognized and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites® and also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards with 47 million members worldwide.

IHG has 1,500 hotels in its development pipeline, which will create 140,000 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.

###

Comments:

comments powered by Disqus