IHG Academy Now in Four Cities Across China

IHG Academy Now in Four Cities Across China

September 11, 2007

Two New Hospitality Education and Training Centres in Jinan
and Shunde Complement Existing Centres in Shanghai and
Chongqing


    JINAN, China, Sept. 11 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- IHG
(InterContinental Hotels Group), the world's largest hotel
group by number of rooms, today launched the IHG Academy in
two new locations -- Jinan in the northern Shandong Province
and Shunde in southern Guangdong Province.

    (Logo:
http://www.xprn.com.cn/xprn/sa/200702131431-min.jpg )

    First launched in Shanghai in June 2006, and joined by
the Chongqing Campus in February 2007, the IHG Academy
offers a series of specially-developed learning programmes
aimed at addressing the demand for trained talent in the
fast-growing hotel industry.  These two new hospitality
education and training centres further reinforce IHG's
commitment towards development capability among local
talent.  They also extend the scope of IHG's superior
hospitality training to the North and South of China,
giving IHG Academy the ability to train and nurture a
larger talent pool across various parts of China.

    Edmond Ip, chief operating officer for IHG Greater
China, said: "The expansion of the IHG Academy across
China helps us to build a renewable pool of skilled,
well-trained talent.  It also gives opportunities and
bright career paths to talented students from across the
country.  Because of the Academy program's superior career
benefits and skills development, we are pleased to say that
IHG is helping China's future hoteliers enter the ranks of
the world's best."

    The students will get their best possible start in the
industry from the IHG Academy's three-year Advanced
Certification programme, which covers various tourism and
hotel industry subjects.  All programmes combine
theoretical sessions by university lecturers, industry
lectures given by executives from IHG, and internship
exposure at hotels under the IHG portfolio. 

    Along with the three-year Advanced Certification
program, the IHG Academy will also offer a series of
shorter four to eight-week certification programmes
designed to enhance skills in the front office,
housekeeping or food and beverage functions.  This
diversity of programmes allows students, and employers, to
train for the specific needs they must fulfil, regardless
of their current placement, giving them greater options and
better career prospects within the hospitality industry.

    To ensure the highest quality education, the centres
are affiliated with the top hospitality institutions in
their respective regions - Shandong College of Tourism and
Hospitality in Jinan and Shunde Polytechnic in Guangzhou. 
These schools provide the professional support that the IHG
Academy requires, along with national and international
certifications for graduates. 

    IHG has spent the past 23 years developing its hotel
network in China. Today, the company has 71 hotels spread
across four brands, and is on track to meeting its goal of
having 125 hotels opened by 2008.  This rapid expansion is
testament to the quality of IHG's services and the
company's commitment to excellence in hospitality for
China.

    More information on career opportunities with IHG can
be found at http://www.careers.ichotelsgroup.com . 

    Notes to Editors: 

    InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) of the United
Kingdom (LON: IHG; NYSE: IHG (ADRs)) is the world's largest
hotel group by number of rooms.  IHG owns, manages, leases
or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 3,800
hotels and more than 563,000 guest rooms in nearly 100
countries and territories around the world. IHG owns a
portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands
including InterContinental(R) Hotels & Resorts, Crowne
Plaza(R) Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn(R) Hotels and
Resorts, Holiday Inn Express(R), Staybridge Suites(R),
Candlewood Suites(R) and Hotel Indigo(R), and also manages
the world's largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority
Club(R) Rewards with over 33 million members worldwide.

    The company pioneered the travel industry's first
collaborative response to environmental issues as founder
of the International Hotels and Environment Initiative
(IHEI).  The IHEI formed the foundations of the Tourism
Partnership launched by the International Business Leaders
Forum in 2004, of which IHG is still a member today.  The
environment and local communities remain at the heart of
IHG's global corporate responsibility focus.

    IHG offers information and online reservations for all
its hotel brands at http://www.ihg.com and information for
the Priority Club Rewards programme at
http://www.priorityclub.com .

    For the latest news from IHG, visit our online Press
Office at http://www.ihg.com/media .



    For more information, please contact:

     Sharona Tao
     IHG
     Tel:   [phone]
     Fax:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]