Holiday Inn Expands Presence in Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific with 21st Hotel

InterContinental Hotels Group (formerly Six Continents Hotels) today announced that Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport will reopen late May 2003 to become the 21st operational Holiday Inn hotel in Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific. The reopening follows InterContinental Hotels Group's investment in excess of A$13 million to completely refurbish the property.

With the reopening of the Melbourne Airport hotel, Holiday Inn will have a presence at Australia's two largest domestic and international gateways. The brand has already established an extensive network of hotels located in every capital city of mainland Australia and other strategic locations across the Asia Pacific including China, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan.

"This is our 21st Holiday Inn for Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific and a milestone to demonstrate the remarkable growth of Holiday Inn. Over the last two years, we have tripled the number of Holiday Inn hotels in this region. We now account for over a quarter of the 76 existing Holiday Inn hotels in Asia Pacific, not taking into account the 10 hotels currently under construction," said InterContinental Hotels Group Chief Operating Officer for Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, Phil Lee.

"For more than 30 years this hotel has been strongly associated with business, leisure and transit clientele travelling through Melbourne Airport, in particular regional Victorians who have to travel some distance for their flights. We are now reinstating that presence in this strategically crucial location with a hotel that is a leading example of one of the world's most recognized brands for quality mid-priced accommodation," Mr Lee added.

Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport will also benefit from being linked to one of the world's largest central reservations system allowing guests from anywhere on the globe to book directly with the hotel. Recognition of the brand among travel agents and other key influencers will also help to drive business for this property.

The opening of the 198-room Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport follows the refurbishment of Holiday Inn on Flinders Melbourne, with both hotels being refitted in a more contemporary style. Originally built in 1969, the refurbished Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport features rooms with a generous 32 sqm floor space and décor in crisp white and charcoal wall features.

The hotel is situated 400 metres from the airport terminal and features an outdoor swimming pool, gymnasium, buffet-style restaurant and bar and arrival/departure screens in all public areas.