Intercontinental Hotels Group Moves Regional Operations Office in Brazil

Antonio Torres, Regional Director of Operations will consolidate and integrate the company's development initiatives, hotel franchise services, global reservations base and system synergies which will benefit the franchises and operated hotels in Brazil.

"While our long-standing relationship with the Rio property continues, the importance of Sao Paulo as a key hub - both for IHG properties and future development in the area - cannot be overstated," said Alvaro Diago, Area President Latin America InterContinental Hotels Group. "Our company will now have five properties in Sao Paulo, including the soon-to-open Holiday Inn Anhembi, which will be the largest hotel in Latin America, and the fifth largest Holiday Inn in the world."

Beyond the recently opened Staybridge Suites Century Plaza, Holiday Inn Select Jaragua, and in March, the Holiday Inn Anhembi, all in Sao Paulo, IHG is anticipating a number of openings throughout other major cities in Brazil during 2004.

"The growth opportunity for us in Brazil is unlimited," adds Diago. "IHG has been a part of Brazil for 58 years, and we believe that longevity translates to an unparalleled understanding of the complex Brazilian market, which ultimately translates to strong return for our investors."

Additionally, IHG announced a number of executive changes within the properties in Brazil. They are as follows:

• Manrique Rodriguez will move from General Manager of the InterContinental Sao Paulo to General Manager of the InterContinental Rio
• Michel Chertouh will move from General Manager of the Crowne Plaza Sao Paulo to General Manager of the InterContinental Sao Paulo
• Francisco Garcia will move from Resident Manager of the InterContinental Rio to General Manager of the Crowne Plaza Sao Paulo
• Dagoberto Silva will move from General Manager of Staybridge Suites Sao Paulo to General Manager of Holiday Inn Parque Anhembi (due to open March 2004)
• Patricia Perrone named General Manager of Staybridge Suites Sao Paulo
• Flavio Andrade will move from Executive Assistant Manager of the InterContinental Rio to General Manager of Holiday Inn Salvador, Bahia (due to open in November 2004)
• German Ott, Brazil's Financial/Controller will move from the InterContinental Rio to the InterContinental Sao Paulo

About Intercontinental Hotels Group - InterContinental Hotels Group PLC of the United Kingdom (LSE:IHG - News), IHG, owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, more than 3,400 hotels and 530,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world (). The Group owns a portfolio of well-recognized and respected hotel brands including InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Holiday Inn (R), Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, and Candlewood Suites®, and also has a controlling interest in Britvic, the second largest soft drinks manufacturer in the UK. InterContinental Hotels Group offers information and reservations capability on the Internet - for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, www.crowneplaza.com for Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, www.holiday-inn.com for Holiday Inn hotels, for Holiday Inn Express hotels, www.staybridge.com for Staybridge Suites by Holiday Inn hotels, and www.candlewoodsuites.com for Candlewood Suites, and for the Group's rewards program, www.priorityclub.com.