IHG awarded management of Al Badia Golf Club InterContinental Dubai Festival City

Dubai -- InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced that InterContinental Dubai Festival City has been awarded the management contract by Al-Futtaim for Al Badia Golf Club at Dubai Festival City.

Commenting on the new venture, John Bamsey, Chief Operating Officer, InterContinental Hotels Group Middle East and Africa said, "We are proud that InterContinental has been selected to manage the prestigious Al Badia Golf Club. This is testament to the excellent relationship that has been fostered with Al-Futtaim and recognises the strength and global consistency of the InterContinental brand."

Brett Schafer, Senior Managing Director, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE) master developers and managers of Dubai Festival City, commented "The selection of IHG to manage and operate the 7,303 yard Robert Trent Jones II designed Al Badia golf course and clubhouse is consistent with Al-Futtaim's strategic relationship with IHG. Presently IHG manage key hospitality properties in Dubai Festival City and have a commitment to maximising long-term asset value."

IHG manages the InterContinental Dubai Festival City, Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City and InterContinental Residence Suites, the addition of the Al Badia Golf Club by InterContinental Dubai Festival City will bring unique opportunities to the group to further promote Dubai Festival City as both a business and leisure destination

"We are extremely glad to expand our strong relationship with InterContinental Hotels Group. The marriage of the well known Al Badia brand with IHG's globally acknowledged management expertise promises to further enhance Dubai Festival City's international image as an outstanding business and lifestyle destination with great hospitality and leisure offerings," Schafer concluded.

IHG will take over management of Al Badia Golf Club InterContinental Dubai Festival City effective from 1st July 2009.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms. IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 4,200 hotels and more than 620,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites®, and also manages the world’s largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority Club® Rewards with 43 million members worldwide.

IHG has nearly 1,700 hotels in its development pipeline, which will create around 140,000 jobs worldwide over the next few years.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group’s holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.

About Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate
Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE), a key division of Al-Futtaim group based in Dubai, is responsible for the development and operations of the Group's real estate businesses across the MENA region. AFGRE is responsible for the conception, development, procurement and construction of a number of mega projects as well as the leasing and operation of these projects after completion. The two current flagship mixed use developments under the Festival City brand name are:

Dubai Festival City is a 5.2 million sq m premier waterfront mixed-use urban community. Spanning 1,300 acres and stretching three kilometres along Dubai Creek, Dubai Festival City offers a rich and vibrant living experience that encompasses the finest and easily accessible shopping, dining, entertainment, homes, schools, hotels, offices and leisure all in one place.

Spanning 3 million square metres Cairo Festival City is a visionary mixed use urban community strategically located just 15 minutes from Cairo International Airport. Cairo Festival City features Egypt's first indoor-outdoor retail and entertainment resort combined with luxury residential communities, prime office spaces, internationally renowned hotels, schools and an automotive park all set within a lush landscaped environment.