Australia’s first Holiday Inn Express has officially opened its doors in Sydney’s Macquarie Park, with its first guests to arrive within the coming weeks.
The property, a collaboration between InterContinental Hotels Group and investment group Pro-invest. was launched on Wednesday at a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by IHG chief executive Richard Solomons, Pro-invest chief executive Ronald Barrott and New South Wales Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres MP.
Holiday Inn Express Sydney Macquarie Park is the first of 15 Holiday Inn Express hotels to be developed in partnership with Pro-invest under a multiple franchise agreement.
Speaking at the ceremony, Solomons described it as an “important milestone” for the Holiday Inn Express brand which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
“IHG’s global strategy is to align the right market with the right brand at the right time – and with the right partner,” he said.
“With a strong tourism economy in place, coupled with a receptiveness to a select service accommodation brand in this market and a dynamic partner in Pro-invest, Australia presented as an ideal opportunity to continue the growth of Holiday Inn Express.”
According to Solomons, the key features of the brand are its offer of a “great experience” and a great experience.
“Holiday Inn Express will no-doubt prove popular among smart, discerning Australian travellers,” he added.
IHG will open a 226-room Holiday Inn Express in Spring Hill Brisbane later this year, followed by Adelaide with a further 245-room Holiday Inn Express in the centre of the city opening 2017 and 345 rooms in Southbank, central Melbourne opening in 2018, totaling 1,008 rooms in all.
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