InterContinental Hotels Group has signed a master development agreement with Saudi Arabia's Al Hokair Group to develop 10 Holiday Inn Express hotels over the next 15 years, marking the brand's debut in the kingdom.
 
The first Holiday Inn Express will be a 200-room hotel based in Jeddah, closely followed by openings in various key cities across the country. All 10 hotels will be operated under long-term franchise agreements.
 
Sami Al Hokair, managing director of Al Hokair Group, said: “We are very excited to expand our footprint in the mid-market segment where we see enormous potential for growth with a trusted global hospitality leader such as IHG. Holiday Inn Express is a world-renowned brand offering great value to the guests and the signing of this strategic agreement will open unprecedented opportunities for us in the mid-market segment. This demonstrates our commitment to Vision 2030 and the development of the hospitality sector which is a key growth driver in the kingdom. We value our partnership with IHG and look forward to working with them on this ambitious project.”
 
Speaking about the announcement, Pascal Gauvin, managing director, India, Middle East and Africa, IHG said: “IHG has a strong legacy in Saudi Arabia, which is a key market for us in the Middle East. We are proud to once again collaborate with our esteemed long-term partner Al Hokair Group, to bring the Holiday Inn Express brand to the country, and further expand our offering to domestic and international travellers, alike. The tourism landscape in Saudi Arabia is rapidly changing and we are excited to leverage the huge growth opportunities that Saudi Vision 2030 presents, particularly given that one of the biggest pillars of the plan is to bring more tourism into the country.”
 
He added: We are the largest operator in Saudi Arabia, offering specialised stay experience to varied guests’ profiles, and with this signing, we are further extending our consumer appeal by offering quality, yet affordable accommodation for savvy travellers.”
 
IHG currently operates 31 hotels across four brands including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites in Saudi Arabia. - TradeArabia News Service