New Holiday Inn Express hotel to offer affordable stay

A mid-price hotel has been opened on Sheikh Zayed Road at Safa Park in Dubai by the InterContinental Hotels Group in partnership with Ishraq Gulf Real Estate. Holiday Inn Express Dubai Safa Park is the second Express limited service property in the city – the first, at Internet City, opened last year. A third is due to open in Jumeirah in August. "This is a landmark opening for IHG and we are delighted to work again in partnership with Ishraq to launch the second Express property in the Middle East," said John Bamsey, IHG's Chief Operating Officer for the Middle East and Africa. "The limited service sector is a burgeoning new segment in the region and IHG is committed to ensuring that we are at the forefront of this development. "The fact that we have two Express properties opening in such a short period highlights our dedication to developing the limited service sector throughout the region and delivering a great night's sleep at an affordable price." The 171-room hotel will cater to the growth in demand for properties that offer competitive rates to business and leisure travellers. Ishraq CEO Sami Al Ansari told Emirates Business: "The location was chosen due to its close proximity to the major business hubs of Dubai, including Dubai International Financial Centre, Business Bay, Media City and Internet City as well as Jebel Ali, which is only a short drive away, making it ideal for short-stay business travellers. The Mall of the Emirates is close by too." Al Ansari declined to give expected revenue figures but added: "We expect to see similar operating results to those achieved by Express By Holiday Inn Dubai Internet City, which has performed above expectations since opening last year." He said 20 Express properties would be launched in the next four to five years across the GCC states, excluding Saudi Arabia.