IHG Signs Fifth Holiday Inn Hotel in New Zealand

InterContinental Hotels Group has signed a 10-year agreement to assume management and branding of the privately-owned Heritage Hotel Rotorua.

Due to rebrand on 1 March 2011 as Holiday Inn Rotorua, the 203-room hotel has long been owner-operated by Rotorua International Plaza Hotel Ltd as a Heritage Hotels franchise. Under the new agreement, IHG will take over management of all day-to-day hotel operations in addition to implementing the international Holiday Inn brand and service standards. The hotel will be IHG’s fifth Holiday Inn hotel in New Zealand.

The full-service hotel is situated in one of New Zealand’s most popular tourism destinations, famous for its hot thermal springs. The property incorporates the Pohutu Cultural Theatre – a Maori cultural experience presented by third-generation descendants of the region’s Te Arawa tribe – along with six conference rooms, an all-day dining restaurant and bar, and a full fitness centre with outdoor swimming pool.

“A need to improve international recognition and capture a greater share of visitors to the region motivated the decision to appoint IHG to manage and brand the hotel as a Holiday Inn,” said RIPH Ltd director, Stephen Low. “This hotel is yet to meet its potential in terms of operating performance. Its location and other assets, not least of which being the Pohutu Cultural Theatre, warrant a greater share of international and domestic visitors to Rotorua. Rebranding as a Holiday Inn and handing over management of the asset makes sense given IHG’s management and marketing experience and resources, and proven ability to attract these markets.”

The addition of Holiday Inn Rotorua to its managed hotel portfolio will bring IHG’s network of hotels in New Zealand – which also includes InterContinental and Crowne Plaza hotels – to nine.

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