DAMASCUS – InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced that it has signed an exclusive agreement with Syria’s Hedley International to develop the country’s first Holiday Inn in the capital city, Damascus. Due for completion in early 2011, Holiday Inn Damascus Old City is going to be set on a 2,000-square-meter site in the city center. The 300-room property is close to historic local landmarks such as the Citadel, Omayad Mosque and al-Hamidieh Souq. John Bamsey, the chief operating officer of IHG, Middle East and Africa, said: “The introduction of Holiday Inn into the country represents IHG’s continued expansion across the region, following our development announcement regarding the InterContinental Damascus earlier this year.” The proposed hotel is being designed with both business and leisure travelers in mind. Mohammed al-Refaey, the owner and chairman of Hedley International, said: “With the Syrian Government investing heavily in tourism, there is great potential to grow the hospitality sector throughout the country and we look forward to being part of this exciting development.” The UK-based company owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, more than 4,000 hotels and more than 590,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world.

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