INTERCONTINENTAL Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world's leading hotel companies, and Al-Futtaim, one of the region's most progressive business houses headquartered in Dubai, have signed an agreement for the management of the largest Holiday Inn hotel in the UAE. The 520-room Holiday Inn Dubai Festival City will operate under a management agreement with Dubai Festival City Real Estate Development LLC owned by Al Futtaim, who also own InterContinental Dubai Festival City, InterContinental Residence Suites, Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City, and Al Badia Golf Club. Marking the fifth property in partnership between IHG and Al-Futtaim, the hotel will be located in Dubai Festival City, a well-established, mixed-use waterfront community comprising some of the finest retail, residential and commercial properties in Dubai. Expected to be completed towards the end of 2017, the property will be the first branded mid-market hotel in the area. Holiday Inn Dubai Festival City joins the luxury InterContinental Dubai Festival City hotel and the business oriented Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City in the community. From the Club InterContinental lounge at InterContinental, to Kids Eat Free at Holiday Inn, all three IHG properties are intended to meet a broad range of guests' needs. The new hotel will connect directly to Dubai Festival City Mall which boasts a large variety of dining options and popular international retail outlets. With convenient road access to Dubai's iconic landmarks and situated only two kilometers from Dubai International Airport, the hotel is set to benefit from both business and leisure demand. IHG and Al Futtaim have also recently launched an expansive 5,000 square meter arena located on the grounds of Al Badia residential area adjacent to the InterContinental Dubai Festival City and Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City. The new Festival Arena by InterContinental Dubai Festival City can cater for large scale events with a capacity of up to 5, 000 people. With a private entrance and distinctively high ceilings, the arena can be customized to host any exhibition, conference, banquet, or trade show as well social events such as a concert or festival. Pascal Gauvin, Chief Operating Officer, IMEA, IHG said: "We're thrilled to be expanding our partnership with an eminent corporation like Al-Futtaim and this new hotel compliments the existing luxury and upscale offerings at Dubai Festival City perfectly. This signing is pivotal to IHG's growth plans in the region as there is growing demand for mid-market hotels in the UAE, especially in Dubai. With the Holiday Inn brand's universal appeal and ability to consistently offer a reliable welcoming experience in over 70 countries around the world, it's the perfect brand to meet this need. Moreover, we are excited about the launch of the Festival Arena by InterContinental Dubai Festival City, an impressive venue that can cater to a broad range of events in Dubai and will create new possibilities for unique events within the entertainment industry. Chris O'Donnell, Group Director Al Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE), said: "Following the major redevelopment and expansion of the Dubai Festival City Mall and the development of the Holiday Inn Dubai Festival City, we will be providing visitors and residents with a complete range of retail, business and leisure activities and wide ranging accommodation to guests and residents alike. This hotel marks our sixth project with IHG and with our collaboration thus far has resulted in great success; we are confident our continued partnership will be one the enablers of our growth ambition in the Middle East."
