InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed an agreement with Mohammed AbdulAziz Al Rajhi & Sons Investment Co to convert and rebrand two hotels in Saudi Arabia.

As per the management agreements, Coral Hotel will be converted to voco Al Khobar, and Holiday Inn Al Khobar Ulaya will undergo a major refurbishment to be converted from an independently run hotel to the first managed Holiday Inn in Al Khobar.
 
Scheduled to open in 2019, voco Al Khobar will offer guests the informality and charm of an individual hotel, with the quality and reassurance of a global and respected brand. Guests can take advantage of a range of amenities including an outdoor pool and gym, to relax and unwind, as well as the choice of two dedicated dining options. Business travellers are also catered for, with a dedicated business centre and 14 meeting rooms.
 
The Holiday Inn Al Khobar Ulaya is strategically positioned to cater to both corporate and leisure travellers. When the refurbished hotel opens in 2020, guests will have access to a fully equipped gym and swimming pool, as well as 4,000-sq-m of meeting space for all corporate needs. There will also be three F&B options for guests to choose from.
 
Speaking of the signing, Pascal Gauvin, managing director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG, said: “Saudi Arabia has always been a key market for IHG, and we have built a strong portfolio of brands across the country over the years. We are delighted to be continuing our expansion across the country, in partnership with Mohammed AbdulAziz Al Rajhi & Sons Investment Co. This agreement is particularly exciting as we are debuting voco in Saudi Arabia in line with our ambitious plans to accelerate the growth of the recently-launched upscale brand across the region.”
 
Yazid Bin Mohamed Al-Rajhi, board chairman, Mohammed AbdulAziz Al Rajhi & Sons Investment Co, commented: “It’s an extremely exciting time for Saudi Arabia, as the tourism landscape is rapidly changing. We are delighted to join forces with IHG, which has a strong legacy in the kingdom, to leverage the growth opportunities that Saudi Vision 2030 presents, particularly in the burgeoning midscale and upscale market.”
 
IHG currently operates 88 hotels across five brands in the Middle East, including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites, with a further 30 in the development pipeline due to open within the next three to five years. - TradeArabia News Service