SINGAPORE, Dec. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Bass Hotels & Resorts announced today
that it will make a bold move to expand and enhance its Inter-Continental
hotel brand portfolio in Asia-Pacific. The company will invest more than
US$70 million to establish or refurbish 14 new hotels in five markets over the
next two years, including China, India, Malaysia, French Polynesia and New
Zealand.
The projected growth in inventory by Bass represents the largest expansion
development for any five-star hotel brand in the region. Once completed,
there will be 29 Inter-Continental hotels across 14 markets in Asia-Pacific.
Asia-Pacific is one of our key markets due to the potentially explosive
growth in business travel and tourism over the next two years. This
significant investment and expansion plan demonstrates our absolute focus on
and understanding of what drives guest satisfaction. It means that
international business and leisure travelers will have more Inter-Continental
options located in more diverse destinations to meet their unique needs - all
with a level of quality and service second-to-none, said Mr. Thomas Oliver,
Chairman and CEO of Bass Hotels & Resorts International.
Beginning in January 2001, Bass Hotels & Resorts will build its Inter-
Continental hotel presence in New Zealand (Wellington, Christchurch), China
(Beijing, Pudong, Shanghai), India (New Delhi, Srinagar, Goa, Mumbai),
Malaysia (Penang) and French Polynesia (Moorea, Bora Bora, Tahiti). The six
hotels in Beijing, Srinagar, Goa, Mumbai (2) and the French Polynesia will be
brand new establishments while the others will be conversions. The first
target for the expansion plan will be the opening of the Grand Palace Inter-
Continental Resort in Srinagar which will have 333 rooms. The expansion plan
is scheduled to complete by January 2003 with another Inter-Continental Resort
in French Polynesia.
We have been experiencing a significant growth in visitor levels in the
region, said Richard Hartman, Managing Director of Bass Hotels & Resorts Asia
Pacific. Each and every market in Asia Pacific recorded a boost in tourism
arrivals from 1998 to 1999, with an average increase across the region of 9%
(see footnote). We expect this growth to continue and strengthen further over
the next two years, Mr. Hartman said.
Our expansion plan is an acknowledgement of the potential of the Asia
Pacific region and will enhance our ability to offer a quality customer
experience wherever our customers need first-class hotel accommodation, he
said.
Footnote: According to a survey conducted by PATA (Pacific Asia Travel
Association), sustained growth in travel across Asia Pacific was evident in
the first five months of 2000 and tourist arrivals increased by an average of
another 7% in key markets. New Zealand, China, India, Malaysia, South &
Central Pacific showed strong growth in 2000 with 8, 6.5, 5.2 (1999), 13 and
8% respectively.
About Bass Hotels & Resorts
Bass Hotels & Resorts(R) (NYSE: BAS; London) (ADRs), the hotel business of
Bass PLC of the United Kingdom, owns, operates or franchises more than 3,000
hotels and 490,000 guest rooms in close to 100 countries and territories.
The following are some of the service marks owned by Bass Hotels &
Resorts, Inc., its subsidiaries or affiliates: Holiday Inn(R), Crowne,
Plaza(R), Holiday Inn Express(R), Holiday Inn Select(R), Holiday Inn Garden
CourtSM, Holiday Inn SunSpree(R) Resorts, Staybridge Suites(R) by Holiday Inn,
Holiday Inn Family Suites(SM) Resort , Holidex(R), Priority Club(R) Worldwide,
Inter-Continental(R), Forum(R), and Six Continents Club(R). Centra(R) in
Canada and Mexico; Centra(SM) in the U.S.; Parkroyal(R) in the U.S. and
Canada; Parkroyal(R) in Mexico.
Bass Hotels & Resorts, Inc. offers information and reservations capability
on the Internet - www.basshotels.com, www.interconti.com for Inter-Continental
Hotels and Resorts, www.crowneplaza.com for Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts,
www.holiday-inn.com for Holiday Inn hotels, www.hiexpress.com for Holiday Inn
Express hotels, www.staybridge.com for Staybridge Suites by Holiday Inn, and
www.priorityclub.com. For the latest news from Bass Hotels & Resorts, visit
our new online Press Office at
SOURCE Bass Hotels & Resorts
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