About InterContinental Hotels Group

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) is the world’s most global hotel company and the largest by number of rooms. The Group has more than 3,500 owned, leased, managed and franchised hotels and approximately 536,000 guest rooms across nearly 100 countries and territories.

Our Strategy
 
The Group''s vision is to become the world''s leading hospitality brand owner. By focusing on our branding, managing and franchising strengths, the Group will continue to drive return on capital employed and shareholder returns. We will:  

• Strengthen our portfolio of strongly differentiated brands through increased room night delivery to franchisees, enhanced hotel management skills and brand innovation. 
• Grow our management and franchised fee income by exploiting significant potential in the upscale segment worldwide and building large-scale, strong midscale positions in major world markets. 
• Focus the organisation by containing or reducing operating costs through simplification, reduction of asset ownership, infrastructure improvements and investing in the skills of our people. 
• Continue to reduce capital by selling the real estate assets of the majority of our hotel portfolio while retaining management or franchise agreements in most cases. Ownership of assets will continue only if assets present strategic brand value for the group. 
• Return excess funds to shareholders or reinvest in growth opportunities, while maintaining appropriate efficient debt levels.

Our Strengths

High quality, strongly differentiated brands
The Hotels group has a wide range of excellent brands, supported by high quality and service standards which deliver an excellent guest experience and encourage brand preference. 
 
Brand loyalty
Our Priority Club Rewards loyalty programme extends to all our brands and with over 21 million members is the largest hotel loyalty programme in the industry. More than half our Priority Club Reward member revenues come from guests who use more than one of our brands.
 
Extensive network of hotels
InterContinental Hotels Group has a significant network of upper upscale and upscale hotels under the InterContinental and Crowne Plaza brands, with assets in key cities attracting the international business traveller.
 
In the US our upscale Staybridge Suites and mid-scale Candlewood Suite brands cater to the extended-stay market. The Hotels group has also built leading domestic positions in key countries including the US, the UK and China for our midscale brands – Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. 
 
Global scale
The global nature and scale of the Hotels group provides it with significant benefits particularly in the areas of marketing, technology and infrastructure enabling us to drive growth and profitability while reducing operating costs. 
 
Due to its large network, the Hotels group also has access to considerable funds to promote and support its brands for the benefit of our hotels and owners. These funds, known as ‘system funds’, represent a stable source of funds to support marketing activities, frequency programmes, relationship marketing and system infrastructure.
 
Diverse operating models and wide geographical spread
InterContinental Hotels Group own, lease and manage more than 3,500 hotels around the world. Our geographical spread, multiple operating models and strong brand portfolio, which cover key market segments and place us in a good position to weather economic downturns and take advantage of strengthening economies.
 
Effective distribution and technology innovations
The introduction of our Lowest Internet Rate Guarantee (customers will get the best available rate though our website at www.ichotelsgroup.com) has helped the Hotels group become one of the biggest internet retailers, with revenues of some $700 million through over 500 websites that we run. We have reservation call centres on six continents and continue to build strong relationships with travel agents and to form alliances with other travel providers. 
 
Recent investments in our technology infrastructure make it easier for our hotels to maximise their inventory, driving further growth and profitability. 
 
Strong, experienced management team
The Chairman, David Webster (who as of 1st October 2004 took on the role of interim Chief Executive pending the appointment of a new CEO) and Finance Director, Richard Solomons are strongly supported by the regional presidents Richard Hartman, Patrick Imbardelli and Stevan Porter. Together the management team has over 80 years of hotel experience.