InterContinental Hotels Group to manage two hotels in Bangladesh

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) today announced that it has secured two management agreements with Ipco Developments (Bangladesh) Ltd and Ipco Hotels Ltd to manage the proposed Holiday Inn Dhaka and InterContinental Dhaka respectively.

Currently under construction, Holiday Inn Dhaka is scheduled to be launched early 2005 and InterContinental Dhaka will be opened mid 2005. Both properties are new build and are located in the geographic heart of the city.

The chairman of Ipco Developments (Bangladesh) Ltd and Ipco Hotels Ltd, Mr. Abul Khair, said, "Our agreement with InterContinental Hotels Group marks a milestone in Bangladesh's tourism industry. Our hotel guests can enjoy specially tailored service initiatives and products that meet their specific needs very soon, bringing the hotel experience to a whole new level. We are confident that InterContinental Hotels Group's management expertise, operational strengths, innovative marketing strategies and customer-focused business strategy will drive returns and generate revenue for both our properties and we look forward to a long-lasting relationship with the company".

A. Patrick Imbardelli, Managing Director, InterContinental Hotels Group Asia Pacific said, "We are proud to have the opportunity to play a role in Bangladesh's corporate and leisure travel industry with one of the country's leading entrepreneurs. With the emergence of Dhaka's Economic Development Zone to become a key investment hub, the continued development of the Bangladesh economy and growth of tourism to Bangladesh, both business travellers and holiday makers visiting the city can look forward to high hospitality standards that have become synonymous with InterContinental Hotels Group's portfolio of leading hotel brands. The proposed InterContinental Dhaka will be the first privately-owned five star luxury hotel in Bangladesh".

"Our experience helps drive value for the companies under our umbrella in Asia Pacific. They will have access to the best people, infrastructure and knowledge that attract lifelong customers. Through our partnership with Ipco Developments and Hotels, the proposed Holiday Inn Dhaka and  InterContinental Dhaka will each benefit from access to Holidex Plus, our state-of-the-art reservations system. By carrying two of the most recognised hotel brands in the world, both hotels will also enjoy top-of-mind recall with IHG's 17 million Priority Club Rewards members globally," he added.

Reinforcing the additional benefits of Ipco Development's partnership with IHG, Mr. Khair commented, "As a socially responsible corporation, we want to contribute to Bangladesh's economy and workforce. Both hotels will generate substantial quality employment and training opportunities, as well as significant foreign exchange earnings for the country".

The proposed Holiday Inn Dhaka is part of a mixed use development consisting of hotel, retail, food court and cinema complex and carpark with capacity of 1200 vehicles. It has 300 rooms in total and includes an executive club, business centre, function and meeting rooms and a health club. The hotel will have three food and beverage outlets - a Chinese restaurant, an all-day café and a bar.

The proposed InterContinental Dhaka will boast 396 rooms including a presidential suite. The hotel's facilities will encompass a spa, gymnasium, hair salon, business centre, executive lounge and a retail outlet. It will also feature a  1200-sq metre banquet hall, the largest in Bangladesh. Guests can look forward to a wide range of food and beverage outlets including a coffee shop, lobby lounge, pool bar and barbeque, modern Indian restaurant and grill.

Both hotels and retail outlets are part of an overall complex that incorporates a golf course and country club. They are strategically located adjacent to Zhia International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh.