Outrigger Enterprises Group Joins Forces With Holiday Inn in Hawaii

ATLANTA, Aug. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Outrigger Enterprises Group, Hawaii's largest locally owned hotel operator, and IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, today announced the signing of a license agreement to rebrand the OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber hotel as the Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Resort.  

The agreement is a testament to the strength of the $1 billion Holiday Inn® relaunch, which was established to create a more contemporary brand image, improving quality and driving consistency across the global portfolio.  Outrigger will continue to own and manage the rebranded resort, bringing its unparalleled reputation for delivering a high-quality guest experience coupled with distinctive "Hawaiian" hospitality to the power and global appeal of the Holiday Inn brand.  All employees will keep their jobs and will remain employees of Outrigger Hotels Hawaii. The rebranding is expected to be complete in November 2010.  

"IHG and Outrigger Enterprises Group share a leadership position in the hospitality industry, which makes this an outstanding relationship," said Jim Abrahamson, president, the Americas, IHG.  "The commitment of an industry leader like Outrigger continues to reinforce the strength of the Holiday Inn brand.  With the right owners and in the right markets, we are completely elevating Holiday Inn."

This agreement implements Outrigger's "many brands, one 'ohana (family)" strategy that leverages the company's ability to manage multiple brands, while maintaining the acclaimed Outrigger collection of upscale, luxury leisure hotels and resort condominiums located in some of the most desirable destinations throughout Hawaii and the Pacific.

"We are proud to include Holiday Inn – and its exciting look, feel and guest experience – as part of our family of quality Outrigger hotels," said David Carey, president & CEO of Outrigger Enterprises Group.  "The new Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Resort combines Outrigger's legendary hotel management expertise with Holiday Inn's iconic brand strength and the 52 million members of IHG's Priority Club Rewards loyalty program – the largest hotel loyalty program in the world– into one, unbeatable package."

With more than 3,400 hotels and 430,000 guest rooms around the world, the sheer magnitude of the Holiday Inn relaunch is unmatched in hospitality history.  First announced in October 2007, the relaunch focuses on the things that matter most to Holiday Inn guests: great beds, great showers and fantastic service with a more up-to-date look.  The global relaunch is on track to be complete by the end of 2010.

Outrigger completed a $30 million renovation of the OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber in 2009, with the goal of offering a midscale, near-the-beach hotel for the value-conscious traveler looking for a fun and relaxing Hawaiian getaway.

Close to all the action, this resort is located in the fast-paced heart of Waikiki. The property offers guests comfortable accommodations designed to reflect the unique environment and culture of the area, with modern, revitalized guest rooms, as well as a newly revamped pool, lobby, fitness room, and port cochere.  It is home to Jimmy Buffett's at the Beachcomber, a fun, family-friendly lifestyle restaurant and bar that features the new Honolulu Surfing Museum, showcasing collectibles and memorabilia.  On the resort's lobby level, Illusionist John Hirokawa presents the dazzling Magic of Polynesia show in a 700-seat theater specifically designed for his electrifying displays.  

The resort's convenient location is just steps from the beach and surrounded by shopping, dining and entertainment.  Nearby attractions include Royal Hawaiian Center, International Market Place, DFS (Duty Free Shop), Macy's, Duke's and Waikiki Beach Walk®.  Guests staying at the resort also have complimentary access to the Waikiki Trolley's Pink Line, which provides transportation throughout Waikiki, including Waikiki Beach Walk® and Ala Moana Center.

For more information on Holiday Inn Resorts, visit www.holidayinn.com. For more information on Outrigger Enterprises Group, visit www.outrigger.com.

About Outrigger Enterprises Group

Outrigger Enterprises Group is one of the largest and fastest growing privately-held leisure lodging and hospitality companies in the Asia Pacific and Oceania regions and continues to expand its presence throughout the area.

A family-owned company with more than 60 years of hospitality experience, Outrigger runs a highly-successful, multi-branded line of hotels, condominiums and vacation resort properties, including Outrigger® Hotels & Resorts, OHANA® Hotels & Resorts, Outrigger Condominium Collection®, Embassy Suites, Courtyard® by Marriott®, Best Western® and Wyndham Vacation Ownership®. Currently, Outrigger operates and/or has under development nearly 50 properties with close to 12,000 rooms located in Hawaii; Australia; Guam; Fiji; Bali; Phuket, Thailand; Hainan, China; and Vietnam.

Outrigger Enterprises Group also operates and develops hotel properties and hospitality-related retail and real estate opportunities for partners in Hawaii, the Pacific, the mainland USA and Asia. For on-line information, log on at www.outriggerenterprisesgroup.com and www.outrigger.com.

About InterContinental Hotels Group

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)] is the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms. IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns, through various subsidiaries, over 4,500 hotels and more than 650,000 guest rooms in 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognized 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 program, Priority Club® Rewards with 52 million members worldwide.

IHG has over 1,300 hotels in its development pipeline, which will create 160,000 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.

IHG offers information and online reservations for all its hotel brands at www.ihg.com and information for the Priority Club Rewards program at www.priorityclub.com. For the latest news from IHG, visit our online Press Office at www.ihg.com/media.

SOURCE IHG Hotels & Resorts