David Todd
Head Of Operations, IHG MEA
IHG Hotels & Resorts
Ihgplc.com
Where does the company stand in terms of its growth trajectory and its strategy for the MENA region?
The Middle East continues to be an attractive market for tourism and hospitality, and we are on track with our growth plans for the region. The majority of our growth in the Middle East will continue to be driven predominantly by the UAE and KSA. However, we also see opportunities more broadly across the region, particularly in Oman and Egypt.
In line with our growth ambition, we have recently announced a number of signings across the region, including an MDA with RIVA Development Company, which is a five-year agreement to open at least seven hotels in Saudi Arabia across IHG’s portfolio of brands, including cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Eastern Province, Abha, Hail, Qassim and Tabuk. Hotel Indigo Riyadh, King Abdallah Road was the first hotel to be announced under this partnership and marked the brand’s debut in the country. We also recently announced the signing of Hotel Indigo Jabal Al Akhdar in Oman, voco Dubai Palm Jumeirah and Voco Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers in the UAE, and Holiday Inn New Assiut Asayla in Egypt. Furthermore, we are in discussions with a number of partners and expect to sign more hotels, across our portfolio of brands, in the coming months. We also have some exciting hotel openings this year, including InterContinental Mina Al Arab in Ras Al Khaimah. It will be a unique beach resort hotel which is designed as a contemporary tropical resort with a lush landscape and indoor/outdoor experience of a resort. Some of our other openings include Staybridge Suites, Dubai Financial Centre and Staybridge Suites, Dubai Internet City to cater to our long stay guests, voco Jeddah Gate and Holiday Inn Riyadh Al Malaz in Saudi Arabia.
UPCOMING PROJECTS IN THE MENA REGION
About author
Rita Ghantous
Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector. Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC). She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book. She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter. Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler. It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.
