Abu Dhabi: The IHG InterContinental Hotels Group is building two new hotels in Abu Dhabi as part of its expansion in the UAE market, a company executive has said.
Sayed Tayoun, area director of Sales & Marketing, said the group has approved plans to push ahead with expansions to benefit from sharp growth in the emirate’s tourism sector, adding that Abu Dhabi is in the midst of a boom in the hospitality and tourism sector.
“We want to maintain our strong position in this vital market,” he told journalists during an iftar meal held by the Crowne Plaza hotel.
“Work is already underway to build Intercontinental Abu Dhabi—Grand Marina, which is located near Intercontinental Abu Dhabi and [which] is scheduled to be opened in 2016.”
Tayoun said the new hotel would comprise 184 rooms, including hotel apartments, and would provide the latest in cuisine, conference services and other facilities and activities.
He revealed that the group has signed a 20-year agreement with the National Corporation for Tourism & Hotels (NCT&H) Co to manage the new hotel.
He also disclosed plans to inaugurate the new Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi in October 2014 adding that this hotel is owned by NCT&H.
He said the hotel is located in the heart of the capital and comprises 257 rooms and suites besides various restaurants, bars, cafes, swimming pools, SPA, auditoriums, conference halls and other facilities.
Tayoun noted that Intercontinental Group currently owns and manages 18 hotels in the UAE through five brands and seven others under construction. In Abu Dhabi, its hotels include Intercontinental, two Crowne Plaza hotels, Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites.
The new projects mean that three hotels would be opened by the group, including Staybridge which is scheduled to be inaugurated in the next three years.
