InterContinental Wins Top Hotel Management Award

InterContinental Hotels Group has received one of the hotel accommodation industry's highest accolades, winning the 2004 Accommodation Chain of the Year at last night's HM Awards for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence.

The Accommodation Chain of the Year award is the most coveted accolade of the annual HM Awards, recognising overall excellence in the hotel accommodation sector in Australia. As one of the event's only Judge's Choice awards, it acknowledges the overall achievements and success of hotel companies and brands in the Australian market.

The award follows InterContinental Hotels Group being named Australia's fastest growing hotel company in the Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels 2003 Top Operator Survey, having added more than 1,600 rooms and seven hotels to its Australian portfolio over the last twelve months. The Group was also this month named the World's Largest Hotel Company in MKG Consulting's annual ranking of hotel companies, with 3,520 owned, managed, leased and franchised hotels and 536,318 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world.

"We are thrilled to have received this recognition from the industry. To be voted by our peers as the best hotel company in Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, and to have our business strategy, brands, distribution portfolio and guest satisfaction acknowledged as the industry benchmark among such impressive companies is an incredible honour," said InterContinental Hotels Group's Chief Operating Officer for Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, Phil Lee.

"We have maintained our strategy to establish some of the world's most recognised and respected brands in key locations around Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, and our hotels continue to increase their market share and provide strong returns for our owners. This would not be possible without the tireless efforts of our people, and I am proud to accept this award on their behalf."