InterContinental Hotels Group to manage two hotels in Manila

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) today announced that it has been awarded two new management contracts by Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC). Under the agreement, one of RLC's hotels, Manila Galleria Suites, will be rebranded into a Holiday Inn Hotel, and a Crowne Plaza hotel, which is under construction, will be launched in Ortigas Centre, the newest business and commercial hub in Manila.

These two new developments add to InterContinental Hotels Group's portfolio in Asia Pacific, which includes 144 hotel properties with close to 40,000 guest rooms in 22 countries in the region.

Lance Gokongwei, President and Chief Operating Officer, Robinsons Land Corporation, said, "Exciting times are ahead for RLC - the rebranding of Manila Galleria Suites to Holiday Inn will take place on 1 June 2003 and the Crowne Plaza property will be launched in early 2005 when construction is completed. We are confident that our partnership with IHG is a positive move that will contribute to building value for our properties, our shareholders and the Philippine tourism industry. Through our agreement with IHG, we now carry two of the most recognised brands in the world and have access to IHG's industry expertise, its state-of-the-art reservations system Holidex Plus, and the group's 15 million Priority Club Rewards members".

"InterContinental Hotels Group is on the move in Asia Pacific. With the best brands for both business and leisure travellers in some of the most sought after locations in the region, the Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza properties in Manila will complement our existing properties including the InterContinental Manila and Holiday Inn Resort Clark Field, and boost our presence in the Philippines," said A. Patrick Imbardelli, Managing Director of InterContinental Hotels Group, Asia Pacific.

"Together with the strength of our Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza brands, our partnership with Robinsons Land Corporation will enable us to leverage our people, infrastructure and knowledge to attract lifelong customers, enhancing revenues and returns for the properties," added Mr. Imbardelli.

Through the management contract, the 284-room Manila Galleria Suites will be rebranded to a Holiday Inn Galleria Manila in advance of a 12-month refurbishment programme. The project will include the installation of facilities required by the corporate market including high-speed Internet access, conducive work spaces and recreational facilities.

The new 260-room Crowne Plaza Hotel, will boast extensive meeting facilities, as well as new service initiatives to cater to the small and mid-sized meetings market. The new Crowne Plaza Hotel is under construction at a prime location at the corner of Ortigas and Asian Development Bank (ADB) Avenue.