News
IHG gains competitive edge
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced that it is to open 18 new hotels across Europe. The announcement comes as part of the Group’s expansion plans to open another 1,300 hotels worldwide, building on it’s portfolio of 4,500 sites.
The firm plans to open eight in the UK, with new Holiday Inns in London, Newcastle and Darlington, a Hotel Indigo in Newcastle, a Staybridge Suites in Edinburgh and a Holiday Inn Express in Manchester, Nuneaton and Birmingham.
IHG also plans to open 10 new hotels across the European continent. These include three in Germany and three in Istanbul, and one each in Madrid, Lisbon, the Provence region and Ekateringburg in Russia.
Kirk Kinsell, IHG’s president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said: “As a business, we have continued to invest in the things that we believe make the biggest difference by strengthening our brands, increasing our scale and working more closely than ever with our hotel owners.”
In line with its aim to gain a competitive edge, IHG is also piloting a technology, called MobileKey, which allows travellers to use a mobile phone as a room key. Considered an industry first, the MobileKey pilot is taking place at two of its US properties, the Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago O'Hare Rosemont and the Holiday Inn Express Houston Downtown. Travellers receive a secure link on their mobile device to an encrypted tone that opens their room's door, bypassing the front desk when checking in.
IHG senior vice president of revenue and guest technology Bryson Koehler said: “More of our guests, especially Gen Y and business travellers, are looking for simpler, more efficient ways to check in and get to their rooms.
“Due to the proliferation of mobile devices, a MobileKey could be a great option," he added.
This news story was written by DialExpotel for Expotel, the UK’s leading hotel, travel and venue booking agency. To find out more about this hotel, call Expotel on 0844 793 7300.
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Published: 24-09-2010 15:54:00
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