FRANKFURT June 2002 - Six Continents Hotels has committed to a 140 million Euro expansion plan in Germany for its Express by Holiday Inn brand.

Express by Holiday Inn first launched in Europe in 1996 and it is has experienced rapid growth to become one of Europe’s fastest growing hotels. There are already over 100 properties in the region, with a new room being opened every 5 hours.
As part of the long-term strategy, Six Continents Hotels identified three key markets to achieve scale and depth with the Express by Holiday Inn brand - the UK, Spain and Germany. Following a significant expansion programme in the UK, Six Continents Hotels now plans to focus their development in Germany - where the company aims to open over 60 Express by Holiday Inn hotels within the next 5 years.

Shane Harris, Vice President of Development and Investments, Six Continents Hotels says: “Europe offers major opportunities for budget hotels. We have had phenomenal success with the Express by Holiday Inn brand in the UK and extremely positive consumer response. The German market offers the same high level of business and leisure travel and we are already seeing an increase in demand for limited service hotels. We have substantial capital to invest in company-owned hotels and we will also look to secure management and franchise deals to become a market leader in this sector.”

There are currently five Express by Holiday Inn hotels in Germany, with the newest opening at Frankfurt Airport in February was the 100th Express by Holiday Inn hotel in the European region. A further six properties in Cologne, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Dusseldorf and Frankfurt will open by the end of next year.

Express by Holiday Inn offers competitive rates for both business and leisure travellers. Facilities include a free continental breakfast, 24 hour reception, a welcoming lounge/bar area, modern bedrooms complete with power showers, pay per view movies and satellite TV. The brand also offers the meeting product, ‘Meet Smart’ which typically caters for 30 delegates.
Six Continents Hotels is the world`s leading global hotel group whose brands also include Inter-Continental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites. It owns, manages, leases or franchises more than 3,270 hotels in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. Germany is a key market for Six Continents Hotels across its brand portfolio.

——-