Six Continents Hotels today announced the re-branding of Parkroyal Sydney Airport to Holiday Inn Sydney Airport, which will make it the first airport Holiday Inn hotel in South-East Asia and the South Pacific region.

Having recently upgraded the soft furnishings of 152 rooms and currently preparing to extend its meetings facilities, the 244-room Hotel has taken on the Holiday Inn brand as part of its long-term strategy to increase its share of international travellers and the meetings market.

�This property is a very high-calibre airport Hotel and a perfect candidate to take on the Holiday Inn brand,� said Chief Operating Officer for Six Continents Hotels in Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, Tony South.

�As the Hotel already draws 80% of its business from the domestic travel market, its key target for growth is inbound travel. We expect international recognition of Holiday Inn Sydney Airport will increase through our worldwide distribution network and global reservations as a result of the re-branding while maintaining its appeal to the domestic market.

�Holiday Inn�s familiarity to both domestic and international travellers has gone beyond merely increasing the occupancy rates of Hotels that have taken on the brand; it has also helped them to tap into new markets and increase their international appeal. As a result, the continued rollout of the Holiday Inn brand is an integral part of Six Continents Hotels� ongoing regional and global expansion strategy,� Mr South said.

The hotel is only minutes away from Sydney Airport�s international and domestic terminals and the Mascot railway station with easy access to Sydney�s CBD.

�The meetings market is an area of real potential for this hotel and forms a significant aspect of our future plans given that 50% of our guests are business travellers,� said Holiday Inn Sydney Airport�s General Manager, Mark Brannigan.

�Holiday Inn Sydney Airport recently refurbished the hotel�s lobby and the soft furnishings in guest rooms. This investment has enabled the Hotel to exceed the high standards that are synonymous with the Holiday Inn brand.

�This quest for quality has also translated into the consistently high set of service standards that have been further enhanced through access to Holiday Inn programs which measure guest and employee satisfaction.

�Other products such as Priority Club Worldwide � the world�s largest hotel loyalty program � and the Holiday Inn Hospitality Promise � which guarantees every aspect of a guest�s stay � are now available through Holiday Inn Sydney Airport.

�By becoming Holiday Inn, we have been able to enhance what was already a well established hotel and increase its appeal to a wider audience. This is a very exciting time and one of great potential for Holiday Inn Sydney Airport,� Mr Brannigan added.

ENDS

MEDIA INFORMATION Luke Starr or Jane Morey Prue MacSween & Associates (+61 2) 9327 4333