IHG Hotels & Resorts recently signed a master development agreement (MDA) with Ishraq Hospitality, a division of the Dubai-based Mohamed & Obaid Almulla Group, to develop eight hotels across IHG’s midscale brand, Holiday Inn Express, in the MEA region. The multi-property portfolio license will see new hotel openings in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan and Egypt in the near term. Ishraq Hospitality, which operates HIEX under the IHG franchise, currently owns four Holiday Inn Express hotels in the UAE in partnership with IHG.

Holiday Inn Express is one of IHG’s fastest-growing hotel brands – a first choice for the increasing number of travelers who need a simple place to rest, recharge and get a little work done. The agreement will mark the first Holiday Inn Express hotels in Oman, Bahrain, Jordan and Egypt, where there is an expected build-up of demand for midscale, branded accommodation to cater to business and leisure tourists alike. The new additions will strengthen IHG’s existing Holiday Inn brand family portfolio and solidify IHG’s position as one of the leading hospitality players across the region.

Ishraq Hospitality has an excellent track record in hospitality management and the agreement will see it expand its horizons to create a regional footprint. 

IHG currently operates 95  hotels across seven brands in the Middle East, including: InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, voco and Six Senses with a further 42 in the development pipeline due to open within the next three to five years.