InterContinental Hotels Group expands mid-market portfolio.

With three new Holiday Inns opening in Brazil, InterContinental Hotels Group, the world's most global hotel company, is expanding its portfolio of mid-market properties in Latin America. "We recognize the economic realities of the marketplace, and we remain fully committed to providing travelers with exceptional service and value throughout the region," says Alvaro Diago, area president of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Latin America.

In addition to its landmark InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, and meetings-oriented Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, IHG has more than doubled its Holiday Inn portfolio since 1998 to 23 properties, and expects to double its mid-market offerings again in the next five years.

"Our relationship with Brazil goes back more than 50 years," says Carlos Baruki, area director of sales and marketing, Latin America. "We know that travel within the nation has expanded greatly in the last ten years. That creates more demand for mid-scale hotels, and it makes sense for us to expand our Holiday Inn brand."

IHG's new properties include:

* Staybridge Suites Century Plaza, Sao Paulo. This 356-suite, 31-story property is the first Staybridge Suites by Holiday Inn in Latin America, the first of its kind outside North America, and the first to anchor a major mixed-use center that includes two office buildings, as well as retail and entertainment venues.

Ideal for extended-stay travelers, the suites are equipped with the latest in in-room technology, including data ports for personal computers with high-speed Internet access and dual-line telephones with voice mail. The hotel also features a 24-hour business center, complimentary breakfast and a cutting-edge fitness center.

"This is a prime example of IHG Latin America's ability to continue expanding and diversifying the Holiday Inn portfolio in the region using the 'hub and spoke' strategy," says Baruki. "We can centralize our training and service policies, and introduce new programs in one central property, then roll them out to our franchisees."

* Holiday Inn Select Jaragua, Sao Paulo. This 26-story hotel with 415 guest rooms and 127 suites is part of a major urban renewal project in Sao Paulo's historic district. A landmark in the heart of Sao Paulo, the Holiday Inn Select Jaragua will officially open on January 25, 2004, the 450th anniversary of the city's founding.

* Holiday Inn Anhembi, Sao Paulo. With 780 rooms, the Holiday Inn Anhembi will be the largest Holiday Inn in Latin America and among the top five largest in the world when it opens in April. The hotel is ideally situated adjacent to the Anhembi Convention Center, one of the largest and busiest in Latin America.

* Holiday Inn Express Maceio, Brazil. This 120-room, six-story Holiday Inn Express is located in northeastern Brazil, which is renowned for its pristine beaches and natural beauty. The hotel, directly across from Cruz das Almas Beach, is the 20th Holiday Inn opening for IHG in Latin America.

IHG Latin America has already established Holiday Inn properties in every key market of Central America, making it the leading mid-market brand in that region.

"Holiday Inn hotels offer business and leisure travelers across the world dependability, friendly service and modern attractive facilities at excellent value," says Diago. "With 50 years of success, Holiday Inn hotels remain the most widely recognized lodging brand in the world."