InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) today announced the opening of its second Holiday Inn property in Jordan and its first on the world famous Dead Sea.

The Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea offers visitors to what is widely described as a natural wonder of the world the reliability, friendly service and modern facilities for which the Holiday Inn brand is known globally, not to mention its commitment to excellent value.

John Bamsey, chief operating officer, IHG Middle East and Africa, said: "We already have a strong presence in Jordan, so it was a natural decision to extend our portfolio to one of the Kingdom's most popular tourist sites."

He said: "Holiday Inn is one of the world's most recognised hotel brands and it is an ideal fit for Jordan's evolving tourism market. It helps to broaden the appeal of the Dead Sea as a destination by offering both the value of a mid-scale hotel and the reliability that goes with an internationally respected name."

Just two minutes walk from the water's edge, the Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea has 78 well-appointed rooms and 128 chalets, a choice of restaurants and comfortable lounges, sports facilities, and the longest swimming pool on the Dead Sea coast. In all, the property covers an impressive 41,000 square metres.

The Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea creates a relaxing atmosphere and like all new and relaunched Holiday Inn hotels, offers guests with comfortable beds and a choice of pillows. The hotel also provides a concierge, 24-hour room service and an airport transfer service.

There are extensive meeting facilities with a ballroom that accommodates 200 guests, three meeting rooms and a boardroom.

One of the world's oldest health resorts, the Dead Sea has attracted visitors for thousands of years. Ongoing investment in the area's infrastructure has served to increase its popularity with local, Middle Eastern and international tourists.

The Dead Sea is one of 14 finalists in a global internet vote run by the New Seven Wonders of Nature Foundation to choose the seven wonders of the natural world. Jordan's ancient ruins of Petra were selected as one of the seven new, man-made wonders in 2007. Winning the title nearly tripled visitors to the site, to the east of the Dead Sea.

In October 2007, IHG announced its US$1 billion Holiday Inn relaunch to create a more contemporary look and feel as well as improved consistency and a relaxed service culture. By the end of 2010, IHG will have completed the relaunch of its 3,200 Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels worldwide.