InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Announces Global Roll-Out of New Services, Amenities and Technology at all 140 InterContinental Hotels Worldwide
Initiatives in conjunction with an ongoing $1 billion investment to refurbish properties
NEW YORK (LOND/USA: SXC) InterContinental Hotels & Resorts today announced the worldwide roll-out of new service initiatives and technology, as well as a $25 million global advertising and marketing campaign, designed to further strengthen its position as the premier upscale hotel brand for today's international traveler. The brand also announced it is seeing the benefit of an ongoing $1 billion investment, which will be complete in 2004, to...
Six Continents PLC, the parent company of InterContinental, is investing the $1 billion in refurbishing major InterContinental properties around the world, including those in New York, Miami, Vienna, Budapest, Madrid and San Francisco and in acquiring new hotels, such as the prominent Inter-Continental in Hong Kong, to add to Inter-Continental's 140 hotel portfolio. In conjunction with the launch of new services, InterContinental's 40,000 employees worldwide have undergone extensive training to support the services being introduced for the international business traveler.
"We are particularly aware of the special needs of today's international business traveler and are also adapting many standard hotel services to ensure those needs are catered for as an utmost priority," said Thomas R. Oliver, chairman and chief executive officer of Six Continents Hotels.
Research conducted by Six Continents Hotels revealed that InterContinental was perceived as the international hotel brand by a full two-to-one ratio when compared to its competitors. More than 1,000 international business travelers aged 30-60 spanning 25 countries were interviewed.
"As the preferred hotel for international travelers for nearly 60 years, InterContinental is
committed to meeting the needs of today's travelers worldwide," said Steve Porter,
president, The Americas, Six Continents Hotels. "We are focused on exceeding our guests' expectations through consistent and superior service around the globe."
Highlights of the new services, amenities and technology include:
- WorldLink ™-- A patented power and phone jack adapter in every room, allows guests to travel worldwide without carrying unnecessary cables and adapters. This ensures easy connectivity with electronics from the guest's home country such as laptop computers and digital cameras.
- Instant Money-- For the international traveler, a pack of local currency, including appropriate coins worth about US $25 in small denominations, is available at the front desk and can be charged directly to the guest's folio. Also included is a guide on local tipping and customs.
- WorldPrint-- Guests can request printers and faxes for in-room usage, guaranteed compatible with any equipment, making it easy for guests to build a virtual in-room office at any InterContinental hotel worldwide.
- Instant Refresher-- A complimentary 15-minute head and neck massage offered to Six Continents Club members and club level guests to help relieve the stresses of a long flight or a busy working day.
- WorldNews-- Guests will have access to their preferred local newspaper, wherever they may be traveling in the world.
- WorldChannels -- Guests can watch TV programming from their native country and in their own language.
- Jetlag Recovery Kit -- A pack of special aromatherapy products and helpful hints and tips offered to the international guest, helping them adjust easily to their new time zone.
A full listing of the new services, amenities and technology is available on the New Service Initiatives Fact Sheet.
Additionally, a $25 million global advertising and marketing campaign launches today. "We have a powerful message that will clearly distinguish InterContinental and will differentiate it from other hotel brands," said Jeff Senior, vice president of marketing for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts.
InterContinental guests also benefit from a new advanced central reservations system, HolidexPlus, which was implemented last month. This allows hotels to mix and match room rates and types to provide guests with a more personalized service and gives them greater flexibility in designing packages to meet guest requirements.
Six Continents™ Hotels, the hotel business of Six Continents PLC of the United Kingdom [LON:SXC, NYSE:SXC (ADRs)], owns, manages, leases or franchises more than 3,270 hotels and 512,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world (
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, the prestigious global hotel group has been the preferred choice of the world's business and leisure traveller since 1946. From the many historic landmark hotels that are as much a part of a city's present as its glorious past - to the striking contemporary hotels that reflect the vibrant cultures they represent - to superb resorts that are both a tribute and an attribute to the natural beauty surrounding them - InterContinental offers exceptional comfort, convenience and service in 122 cities throughout the world (
The following are some of the service marks owned by Six Continents Hotels, Inc., its subsidiaries or affiliates: Holiday Inn®, Crowne Plaza®, Express by Holiday Inn™, Holiday Inn Select®, Holiday Inn Garden CourtÒ, Holiday Inn SunSpree® Resort, Staybridge Suites® by Holiday Inn, Holidex®, Priority Club®, Inter-Continental®, Forum®, Parkroyal®, and Centra®.
Six Continents Club®, Six Continents™, and 6 Continents™ are service marks of Six Continents PLC and used under license.
Six Continents Hotels, Inc. offers information and reservations capability on the Internet -
Six Continents Club -- Six Continents Club is the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Frequent Traveler Recognition Program. For over thirty years, membership has consistently provided guests at InterContinental Hotels & Resorts with the special recognition and enhanced services that they deserve.
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