Accor releases white paper on the Business of wellness and hospitality

When stepping into a hotel these days, one cannot help but notice a growing wave of smoothie bowls, pilates poses, and mindfulness seminars. For many years, Accor has been at the forefront of the wellbeing movement, leading the way to integrate health and wellness into all aspects of the guest experience. In a new white paper, “It’s a Wellness World: The Global Shift Shaking up Our Business”, Accor explores the fundamental societal shift currently underway as the lifestyle goal of feeling healthier has moved out from beyond the walls of the spas and gyms and entered the mainstream. The informative report goes on to discuss the opportunities the wellness movement provides for hoteliers and some of the unique ways that Accor brands will deepen their commitments in this vital area throughout 2020 and beyond.  “At Accor, our goal is to have guests experience a sense of wellbeing during their stay and that they leave feeling better than when they arrived; better rested, more nourished and in a happier state of mind,” said Emlyn Brown, Global Vice-President, Wellbeing, Luxury & Premium Brands, Accor. “A delighted guest is naturally more inspired to return. Therefore, by investing in holistic wellness experiences that help our guests feel good throughout the customer journey, we are establishing a model for strong revenue growth through return bookings, word-of-mouth referrals, and positive social media presence, contributing to a steady and sustainable business for years to come.” “It’s a Wellness World: The Global Shift Shaking up Our Business” reveals that 77% of consumers “take steps in their daily lives to stay healthy, make informed food choices, stay active and manage stress.”* Furthermore, some 56% of affluent travelers place a top priority on the statement, “I’m striving to become healthier in the coming year.”** The report also explores numerous economic and social factors that are driving the rise of wellness around the world. “As the wellness movement matures, and wellness offerings become a standard expectation within the hospitality industry, we are seeing a growing emphasis not only on healthy food options, relaxation, and movement but on such fundamental health necessities as clean water and air,” said Anne Dimon, CEO & President of the Wellness Tourism Association. “The mindset of wellness has evolved beyond spas and workout spaces, challenging the hospitality industry to consider how it integrates other health considerations such mindfulness and time spent in nature, along with environmental concerns – such as reducing indoor pollution and eliminating plastics – into its daily operations.” Accor’s well-being white paper will act as a catalyst to help energize the company’s wellness teams globally, while also informing and enhancing the five key pillars that guide Accor’s overall approach to well-being – Active Nutrition, Holistic Design, Bodies in Movement, Leveraging Spa, and Embracing Mindfulness – all of which are adapted and adopted by the company’s hotel brands based on a number of important factors including guest preference, demographics, brand positioning, culture and location. The report also delves deeper into this tailored approach and showcases several examples of how some of Accor’s leading hotel brands are uniquely evolving with the wellness movement. For example: Raffles Hotels & Resorts creates bespoke experiences to enhance guests’ emotional wellbeing, allowing them the opportunity to experience serenity, harmony, and pleasure. The brand is employing Feng Shui and Biophilia techniques to bring peace and balance to its interior spaces; menus designed to enhance sleep, counter jet lag and promote digestive health, and sleep rituals include aromatherapy and luxury sleep masks. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is a gateway to hundreds of wellbeing experiences, from heart-racing workouts to heartfelt moments of peace and tranquility. The brand’s apparel and gear-lending program ensures guests are ready for fitness anytime; green spaces connect guests to nature; a sustainable drinking water program and high-quality organic and local food employ an environmentally respectful approach. SO/ Hotels & Resorts’ approach to wellness aims to bring balance to those who live fast and play hard. The brand’s Glow Bar offering provides the latest in skin and beauty treatments, while Deep Beats Yoga brings the power of sound to enrich the physical and mental experience of en masse yoga.  MGallery Hotel Collection seeks to nourish the soul and empower guests with a balanced lifestyle among thoughtfully designed spaces. In-room amenities are curated for self-care, while signature treatments, healthful menus and positively affirming mantras inspire guests to feel their best, inside and out. Pullman Hotels & Resorts delivers Power Fitness to guests who want to achieve peak physical performance, in between working and having fun. The hotels feature energetic power fitness zones; video on-demand exercise classes; Power Up food and beverage menus for optimal nutrition; and a global ambassador fitness program to keep workouts fresh and inspired.  Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts continues to expand its Vitality Room concept. These customized suites include circadian lighting technology; in-room yoga stations; wellness walls with fitness training modules; black-out blinds; air purification systems; shower lighting and scent customization; and high vitality snack and superfoods bars. “Wellness is a golden opportunity for the hospitality industry,” added Brown. “Feeling healthy is a universal, emotionally-charged, and frequent concern for all demographics of guests and cuts across all areas of life, from daily routines to exceptional, transformative travel experiences. Our diverse hotel brands look forward to embracing the challenge of continuously surprising and delighting our guests with new ways to achieve health and well-being during their travels, inspiring them to choose our hotels again and again.”

KT’s AI Robot Debuts in Seoul Hotel

South Korean operator KT has launched its AI-enabled hotel service robot in Seoul. The AI hotel robot, dubbed ‘N bot’, started its official service at Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotels & Residences, to serve guests in 100 rooms, Yonhap news agency reports, citing a company statement. KT used 3D location mapping, autonomous driving and AI camera capabilities to develop the robot. Guests can request items through voice command or touch screen of KT's GiGa Genie device in a room, and N bot will identify the location to deliver the items, SK said. With help of its autonomous driving technology, the robot can take an elevator to move from one floor to another and stop or pass by oncoming people to avoid collisions. Back in February, KT opened a robot cafe in the main venue of MWC Barcelona to serve free coffee to visitors. The barista robot served 47 kinds of drinks at the GSMA Innovation City exhibition hall. In October this year, KT announced it will start selling its hotel service offering artificial intelligence-based features to hotels in the Philippines. The service will be gradually expanded to hotels in Singapore, Dubai and Guam. KT recently announced plans to invest KRW 300 billion (approximately USD 256.9 million) in the next four years to develop advanced AI-based services. KT will develop AI technology in the areas of language, image, analysis and problem solving, in an attempt to increase the number of AI-enabled devices to 100 million by 2025.

The Higgins Hotel & Conference Center Appoints Leadership Team Ahead of December Opening

The Higgins Hotel & Conference Center has announced the appointments of Daniel Rhodes as General Manager and Marc Becker as Director of Sales & Marketing. With a unique, 1940s-inspired theme and WWII artifacts incorporated throughout the property, The National WWII Museum’s Hotel will officially open its doors this December in New Orleans’ flourishing Arts and Warehouse District. “Daniel and Marc bring extensive industry experience to The Higgins Hotel,” said James Williams, The National WWII Museum’s Vice President of Sales. “With their passion for hospitality, we could not be more excited to have them lead the launch of this highly-anticipated property, which will help support the Museum’s educational mission.” As General Manager, Daniel Rhodes will oversee and lead all operations and management of the Hotel. With more than 10 years of hospitality experience, Rhodes previously served as the Vice President of operations for Commercial Properties Realty Trust, overseeing the company’s $350 million in real estate assets. Prior to that, he was General Manager of Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center and was awarded “General Manager of the Year” by Prism Hotels and Resorts. His versatility has allowed him to build successful teams that focus on providing exceptional service, maximizing hotel profitability and engaging employees. As Director of Sales & Marketing, Marc Becker will supervise overall sales efforts for the Hotel. After earning a Master of Professional Studies in International Hotel Administration, Becker worked with Novotel and Club Med in Italy and France, and then with Gleneagles Resort in Scotland. An offer with Hilton at the Drake Hotel in Chicago brought him back to the United States. Becker later moved to New Orleans after accepting a position as Associate Director of Sales at the Omni Royal Orleans, where he earned recognition as “Sales Manager of the Year” from Omni Hotels & Resorts. He is an active member and past President of Meeting Professionals International, a past Board Member for Hospitality Sales Marketing Association, and currently serves on the Marketing and Industry Affairs committees of the Louisiana Travel Association.

Hotel Equities Celebrates Groundbreaking of New Towneplace Suites by Marriott in Tehachapi, California

 Hotel Equities (HE) announced construction is underway on the new TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Tehachapi, CA. Hotel Equities will manage the hotel, developed and owned by California-based H2H Asset Group. The hotel site, located on Magellan Drive in Tehachapi, is part of a planned business park situated just one block from Adventist Healthcare in Tehachapi. The hotel site has easy access from Exit 149 on Highway 58. “We are proud to progress into the next phase of development for the TownePlace Suites Tehachapi,” said Greg Presley, vice president of business development for HE. “We initially entered the California market a number of years ago and have delivered tremendous results. Those high-performance results for great owners, like our partners at H2H Group, have resulted in our continued growth out west. We’re proud to work alongside Ajay Anand, managing partner of H2H Asset Group, to open this hotel to guests in Summer of 2021.” Upon opening, the hotel will feature the well-known Marriott brand’s latest design. TownePlace Suites by Marriott provides guests with a comfortable place to relax during their long-term visits. The brand offers studio and one-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens, as well as separate living/working and sleeping areas. The suites include adjustable workspaces with built-in shelves and lighting, large flat screen televisions and flexible storage and closets. On-site food options include outdoor Weber grills, a 24-hour In a Pinch market and coffee service. Other amenities at the new TownePlace Suites include an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, meeting space, laundry facilities and free Wi-Fi and copying, faxing and printing services. “We were intentional in selecting Hotel Equities as the operator and manager of our hotel assets as they are known for their ability and skillset to add value from project inception, development and operations,” said Managing Partner of H2H Group, Ajay Anand. “Our goal is to provide our guests with best-in-class accommodations with quality service, offer career opportunities and add value to the Tehachapi community.” “We’re always excited to work with partners like H2H Group and Hotel Equities, who bring a significant level of commitment and expertise to all of their projects. While this is our first new construction project together to break ground, the pipeline of 6 more in California is particularly remarkable,” said Adrienne Jubb, Vice President, MSB Development, Marriot International. “This project will be a welcome new addition to the Tehachapi market, and we expect an even bigger celebration upon opening.” Tehachapi’s location mid-way between Bakersfield (36 miles away) and Lancaster (45 miles away) attracts travelers visiting both major cities. The Tehachapi economy is largely based on wind and solar farms in the area and also benefits from expansions at nearby Edwards AFB. TownePlace Suites by Marriott® is designed for extended stay travelers who want to feel at home and stay productive. To appeal to these guests seeking authenticity, personality and a seamless experience, the concept infuses local flavor into a quiet neighborhood setting, complete with the added comfort, service and quality of an all- suite hotel. For more information about TownePlace Suites by Marriott, visit towneplacesuites.marriott.com .

Innisfree Hotels Breaks Ground on Dual-Branded Marriott Hotel in Amelia Island

Innisfree Hotels has broken ground on its latest development project, a dual-branded SpringHill Suites and Courtyard by Marriott hotel located at 2900 Atlantic Avenue in Amelia Island, Fla. The hotel company will partner with Main Beach Sojourn LLLP, carrying on a 26-year affiliation of principals associated with the former Amelia Island Care Center located on the site. The all-new hotel boasts 239 rooms including suites, a resort-style pool deck with in-pool seating, a courtyard with fire pit area and poolside bar, a fitness room, 6,086 sq. ft. of meeting space and a location within walking distance of the Atlantic Ocean. “We’ve had the privilege of being part of the Amelia Island community for the past three years,” says Ted Ent, CEO of Innisfree Hotels. “The growth and development happening on Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island as a whole is exciting, and we’re looking forward to being able to welcome even more guests to the Atlantic Coast.” This is the second Marriott property in the Innisfree Hotels portfolio, and Ent and his team are partial to the brand. “They have an outstanding reservation system, unparalleled customer loyalty program and a robust marketing strategy that spans the entire globe,” he says. “It gives us confidence knowing we will be offering a top-notch, quality product to our guests.” Innisfree Hotels was recently ranked by Hotel Business, the top source for hotel industry information according to Harvey Research, as the 40th largest hotel owner and developer in the United States. “Our recent ranking at No. 40 is a direct result of our team’s dedication to a sustainable beach-oriented development strategy, our partners and our commitment to providing fun, memorable experiences to our guests,” Ent says. The hotel is slated to open in the spring of 2021.

AHIP 12-hotel deal part of REIT’s realignment strategy

Vancouver-based REIT American Hotel Income Properties completed its sale of 45 economy assets and agreed to purchase 12 premium-branded ones. The move aligns the company’s structure closer to U.S. REITs and better presents itself to investors, executives said. VANCOUVER, British Columbia—Canadian real estate investment fund American Hotel Income Properties on 28 November agreed to acquire a portfolio of 12 premium-branded hotels in the U.S. for $191 million. The move sees the Vancouver-based AHIP move further up the segment ladder and concentrate on higher margins and yielding. With this announcement, the company also said it closed its previously announced sale of a 45-hotel economy portfolio to an affiliate of Vukota Capital Management for total gross proceeds of $215.5 million. The latest deal caps off a period of restructuring for AHIP. In April 2018, the company transferred management of all of its portfolio, at the time 115 hotels, to Texas-based Aimbridge Hospitality, as part of its strategy to become a pure owner. Then in July 2019, AHIP agreed to the deal with VCM.  The VCM deal, which closed on 28 November, saw AHIP exit the economy segment and funded its latest acquisition, which comprises 12 hotels and 1,203 rooms in the U.S., in Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and Texas. The largest hotel by room count is the 120-room Courtyard St. Paul Woodbury in Minneapolis. Seven assets are managed by Marriott International, four by Hilton and one by InterContinental Hotels & Resorts. Aimbridge merged with Interstate Hotels & Resorts on 25 October, although between the AHIP-Aimbridge deal and the Aimbridge-Interstate merger, AHIP renegotiated its management-fee structure with Aimbridge. In an investor update released in coordination with the agreed-to buy and completed sale, AHIP said the new management-fee structure will “strengthen (its) margins, cash flow and growth potential over the next several years.” Expected to close by the end of the month, the 12-hotel buy now gives AHIP 79 assets and 8,887 rooms in its premium-brand portfolio. Jamie Kokoska, AHIP’s director of investor relations, said the completion of the sale of its 45 economy hotels alongside its new acquisition has transformed AHIP into a “pure-play” premium-branded hotel company. The 12 hotels have been acquired at an “approximate 8% capitalization rate” and, with all built in the last five years, at below replacement cost, she said. “By selling our economy-lodging portfolio, our business has become more streamlined and efficient and allows us to focus solely on driving growth from our growing portfolio of premium-branded hotels,” Kokoska said. “We believe these transactions will also better align our company with other publicly traded U.S. hotel REITs and hopefully make our business more easy to understand for investors. Ultimately, we hope our trading multiples will more similarly reflect those of the broader hotel REIT sector,” she said. Segment shift AHIP CEO John O’Neill said in the news release announcing the deal that the “mostly all-suite” deal is the final chapter that completes “a significant component of our 2019 capital recycling program.” Kokoska said Aimbridge will likewise manage the new portfolio. Troy MacLean, equity research analyst at Toronto-based BMO Capital Markets, agreed the deal moves AHIP farther up the segment scale. “The sale and new purchase is less about a price-point strategy than about becoming more of a pure play. They like select-service hotels,” MacLean said. The hotel stock, both the bought and the sold assets, also is different in market and format, MacLean said, with the latest deal being likely an economically safer platform and one providing higher margins. “The rail hotels were in tertiary markets with basically one buyer. When the rail business declined, they really suffered,” MacLean said, referring to the assets in the VCM deal and their associated rail crew-lodging contracts that were also transferred. Kokoska said the new buy, due to close by the end of the year, continues AHIP’s strategic decision to focus on higher-quality, select-service premium-branded hotels that inherently have higher average daily rates. The focus will remain primarily on the upper midscale to upper-upscale chain scales, mostly with brands offering suites or extended-stay accommodations located mostly in metropolitan secondary markets outside of the Top 25 in the U.S. “Another target is to be in markets near multiple demand generators such as hospitals, universities, business parks and stadiums. We believe these kinds of hotels have the ability to provide strong, sustainable returns, while also being defensive in changing market conditions,” Kokoska said. “These kinds of hotels do often generate higher margins due to less frequent guestroom turnover and lower operating expenses,” she said. As of 27 November, AHIP’s market capitalization stood at $505 million Canadian dollars ($380.2 million), according to the investor update. That update also showed the revenue-per-available-room rise across AHIP’s portfolio, even with inflation being taken into account, with that metric in 2013, when its assets were all in the economy segment, being $46.15; in September of this year, excluding the 45-asset economy-segment sale, being $76.80, and for just the 12 agreed-to hotels—although the rest of the portfolio is not included in the calculation—$97. The average room count also has increased in the last six years from 80 to 115, with the 12 new hotels averaging 100 rooms. Despite being listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, Kokoska said AHIP still has no immediate plans to open its wallet for Canadian assets.

American Hotel Income Properties Acquires 12 Hotels for $191.0 Million

American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP (TSX: HOT.UN, TSX: HOT.U, TSX: HOT.DB.U) announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire a portfolio of 12 well-maintained Premium Branded hotels for $191.0 million excluding closing and post-closing adjustments. The 12 hotels, totaling 1,203 guestrooms, are located across the United States and will significantly strengthen AHIP's geographic presence in Texas and the Midwest. The properties have all been constructed within the past five years, are stabilized and have minimal brand mandated property improvement plans. The transaction is expected to close during December 2019, at which point AHIP's portfolio will consist of 79 Premium Branded hotels, representing 8,887 total guestrooms, that are licensed primarily with Marriott, Hilton and IHG. "We're very excited to complete a significant component of our 2019 capital recycling program by adding these 12 high-quality, mostly all-suite focused, recently built select-service hotels to our portfolio of Premium Branded hotels," said John O'Neill, CEO.  "We're especially pleased with the acquisition cap rate and short closing timeline for this transaction, as the cash flow from these newer hotels will minimize the dilution from the sale of the Economy Lodging portfolio.  With no major capital renovations required, the hotels in this portfolio should perform without any income displacement. In addition, the improved debt financing terms we've secured for this transaction, including interest only payments at lower fixed interest rates, will meaningfully reduce our financing costs and drive higher cash flows.  We continue to believe higher-quality properties and attractive financing terms will drive better risk-adjusted FFO accretion and create value for our unitholders over the long term." AHIP intends to use net proceeds from the sale of its Economy Lodging portfolio, alongside an approximately $105 million new fixed-rate term loan to finance the Acquisition.  Specifically, the facility will have a five-year term with fixed interest rates less than 4%, secured by the 12 new hotel properties.  Exact debt terms will be confirmed at the time the Acquisition closes. The hotels are being acquired for approximately $158,800 per key, which is below AHIP's estimate of replacement cost. The 12 hotels in the Acquisition include six Marriott branded properties (two Courtyards, two Residence Inns, one Fairfield Inn & Suites and one TownePlace property), five Hilton branded properties (three Home2 Suites, one Hampton Inn and one Homewood Suites), and one IHG branded property (a Staybridge Suites).  Eight of the twelve hotels are all-suite products and all of these brands are complementary to AHIP's existing hotel portfolio of select-service, premium branded, upper-midscale to upper-upscale properties.  Importantly, all of the properties are already managed by Aimbridge Hospitality – AHIP's exclusive hotel manager, which should ensure a seamless transition into AHIP's portfolio. The Acquisition also further diversifies AHIP's geographic markets, strengthening the Company's presence in markets outside of the U.S. East Coast.  Six of the new hotels are located in Texas, while the remainder are located in the Midwest (Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota and Pennsylvania).  In line with AHIP's long-term strategy, all 12 hotels are located in metropolitan secondary markets that benefit from multiple demand generators and industries to support the local economies. 

Accor’s milestone partnership with Global Premium Hotels

After inking a deal with Global Premium Hotels, Accor is pleased to unveil 13 new ibis budget hotels rebranded from existing Fragrance hotels. The conclusion of this partnership cements Accor’s position as the largest hotel operator in Singapore, bringing its total inventory to 7,625 rooms across 30 hotels (3,357 rooms in the luxury and premium space, 1,840 in midscale and 2,428 in economy). The two Parc Sovereign hotels will commence renovation plans towards the end of 2019 and will be rebranded to become one Mercure and one ibis Styles hotel by mid-2020. “With its nifty and modern design, these new ibis budget hotels spread across central and suburban locations in Singapore are perfect for savvy business or leisure travellers. Featuring cosy rooms for one, two or three people and conveniently located to leisure attractions such as Gardens by the Bay, Clarke Quay, Mount Faber and Sentosa Island, these new additions to our network in the city offer wider choices to guests looking for a short break or weekend getaway,” said Garth Simmons, Chief Operating Officer, Accor Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore & South Asia. GPHL CEO Ko Lee Meng, said, “We are excited to launch a new Accor brand in the market and deepen our relationship with Accor. Having provided quality accommodation and great value to visitors to Singapore these past 20 years, the rebranding and enhancement of our existing properties marks not just another milestone for our group, but an evolution in our business and a boost to our expansion strategy.” Ranging in size from 32 rooms to 168 rooms, selected hotels also feature a pool and/or gym. ibis budget Singapore Clarke Quay, located five minutes’ walk from Clarke Quay MRT Station and the Singapore River, features a fitness centre and a rooftop swimming pool. The ibis budget Singapore Selegie boasts a rooftop pool with great views of Singapore’s city skyline. Additionally, ibis budget Singapore Clarke Quay, ibis budget Singapore Imperial and ibis budget Singapore Selegie offer a casual dining café. The ibis budget Singapore Mount Faber and ibis budget Singapore West Coast are a short drive from VivoCity, Singapore’s largest mall and gateway to Sentosa Island and its many leisure attractions – Universal Studios, various theme parks, sandy beaches and lush rainforests. The cluster of hotels in the eastern suburbs of Joo Chiat and Geylang are a foodie’s haven, with famous local eateries and dining houses recommended by food bloggers and influencers within walking distance. Selected hotels offer assistance with sightseeing and guided tours to these hidden gems that are not commonly found on a tourist map.

Accor, followed by Marriott lead hotel industry expansion in Africa

 Accor’s portfolio covered 24,512 rooms as of 31 July 2019 Hospitality groups Accor and Marriott International account for the largest hotel supply and pipeline counts in Africa, according to data from STR. Accor’s portfolio covered 24,512 rooms as of 31 July 2019, while Marriott accounted for 24,508 rooms. The groups also lead the development pipeline with 19,745 and 15,219 rooms under contract (in construction, final planning and planning phases of the pipeline) respectively. “Over recent years, there has been increased investment interest across Africa with international groups leading the expansion,” said Thomas Emanuel, a director for STR. “There are now just seven countries in Africa with no internationally branded properties present, compared to 18 just six years ago. Accor and Marriott continue to lead the way in Africa, not just in terms of supply, but also pipeline. We look forward to seeing the continued development of the hotel industry across the continent as more supply goes into rapidly developing destinations,” he added. Protea Hotels by Marriott is the continent’s second-largest brand with 8,374 rooms, just behind Hilton that has 8,617 rooms.

Iranian tourism in the spring of last 5 years

Doubletree by Hilton Ras Al Khaimah completes renovation

Rooms, restaurants and other amenities were renovated DoubleTree by Hilton Ras Al Khaimah has completed a major refurbishment of its rooms, restaurants, pools and other amenities. The property’s 154 rooms are now designed with new furnishings, including carpets, mirrors, upholstery, door handles, energy-saving LED lights and more. The hotel has also added new touches to the Podium restaurant and the Tree Top bar pool with sun lounges, chairs and floor refurbishments. John Riad, hotel manager at the property, said: “Our guests are our priority, which is why we are constantly re-inventing ourselves to stay relevant for them. Our refreshed facilities will give guests even more reason to visit the hotel and enjoy our wonderful hospitality.” To mark the renovations, the hotel is running an offer for AED 250, including stay and breakfast for two adults, with two kids under 12 years going free, this offer is valid until 31st October 2019.

Intercontinental Hotels Group to develop fourth Holiday Inn in Al Khobar, Saudi

The hospitality group has signed an agreement with real estate company RIKAZ Properties Intercontinental Hotels Group will be developing its fourth Holiday Inn hotel in Al Khobar — Holiday Inn Al Khobar King Fahd Road — after signing a management agreement with real estate company RIKAZ Properties. Expected to open in January 2021, the 140-key property will feature an outdoor pool, a lobby lounge, food & beverage outlets and a gymnasium. Speaking about the new property Pascal Gauvin, MD, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG said, “We are delighted to sign an agreement with RIKAZ Properties for Holiday Inn Al Khobar King Fahd Road and strengthen our mainstream offering in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We have a strong legacy in the Kingdom and are committed to leveraging the growth opportunities that Vision 2030 presents by expanding our presence across the country through our portfolio of global brands. With a number of recent signings in Saudi Arabia, across our brands such as Holiday Inn, voco and Crowne Plaza, we are growing our presence in key cities and gearing up to cater to the needs of diverse guest profiles expected to visit the country in the coming years.”Earlier this year the hospitality group signed two Holiday Inn properties in Madinah and Jeddah. “We are delighted to be partnering with IHG for our new venture. We have witnessed strong tourism figures and hotel occupancy rates in Saudi Arabia. Tourism is a focal point under the government’s vision 2030 - according to MAS (Tourism Research & Information Centre), the number of international trips made to Saudi Arabia is estimated to increase from 18 million in 2015 to 25.8 million in 2020. The Holiday Inn brand has an international appeal and we are confident that this latest hotel will perform successfully and cater to the increasing demand for midscale accommodation in the country,” said Khalid Al Gahtani, Chairman, RIKAZ Properties. IHG currently operates 92 hotels across 7 brands in the Middle East, including: InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, voco and Six Senses Hotels Resorts with a further 41 in the development pipeline due to open within the next three to five years.