InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has walked away with six accolades across multiple categories at this year's Business Traveller Middle East Awards. The group was honored with one of the most prestigious awards on the night - “Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East.” The night's celebrations were further amplified when the group secured the accolade for “Best Loyalty Program” for Priority Club Rewards, which boasts 37 million members globally. In addition, four of the group's properties located in major business cities around the region were recognized for their outstanding performance, including: q InterContinental Riyadh - “Best Business Hotel in Riyadh Award” q InterContinental Jeddah - “Best Business Hotel in Jeddah Award” q InterContinental CityStars - “Best Business Hotel in Cairo Award” q InterContinental Phoenicia - “Best Business Hotel in Beirut Award” It is the fifth time the InterContinental Riyadh and InterContinental Phoenicia hotels have been honored, having won the awards in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. IHG won the awards just days before it reported a 24 percent rise in first-quarter operating profit, with the Middle East achieving a strong RevPAR (revenue per available room) growth of 20.2 percent. The strong regional performance is a reflection of IHG's dramatic growth across the Middle East and Africa in recent years and this is set to continue with another 41 properties in the development pipeline across its brand portfolio. “The next few years signal an era of extensive growth and diversification for InterContinental Hotels Group across the MEA region. Our multi-brand expansion across five tiers of hotel accommodation is indicative of the commitment we are making to Middle East & African countries. It is very satisfying to receive this level of recognition considering the steps we are taking to introduce new hotels and provide business travellers with accommodation options wherever they might be doing business in the region,” said John Bamsey, chief operating officer, IHG Middle East and Africa. “Receiving the “Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East” reaffirms the strength of the InterContinental brand, which represents a great draw for hotel owners and guests worldwide. The high levels of service coupled with quality and a unique understanding of local cultures, create a fantastic position for InterContinental as an international hotel brand. We look forward to continuing to deliver on the brand's promise of delivering enriching and authentic experiences for both our business and leisure guests.” “The fact that we also picked up an award for the Group's loyalty program is a privilege - to be recognized by the very people we designed Priority Club Rewards for - our guests. Our goal is to offer our members benefits and rewards that are unique and innovative and we are thrilled the program continues to resonate with our loyal guests,” Bamsey added. __
