Leading international hotel group, IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), has expanded its Australasian development team with the appointment of Abhijay Sandilaya as Director of Development – Australasia. 

The appointment reflects the significant growth opportunities that exist throughout the region and will ensure IHG's aggressive development objectives are maintained.

Matt Tripolone, Head of Development – Australasia & Japan, said:

“The appointment of Abhijay will allow us to focus on broader markets, strategic partner relationships and more complex management opportunities as they present themselves, ensuring IHG will continue to grow our hotel network in the region.”

IHG have eight new build hotels either under construction or set to start work by the end of 2016 across major Australian and New Zealand cities and resort locations in Fiji.  Of these new builds, three will open in 2017 including (pictured):

• InterContinental Perth, a comprehensive upgrade and refurbishment of the former Rydges hotel, due to open late 2017;
• Crowne Plaza Christchurch, a 200-room new build hotel located adjacent to the planned Convention Centre, due to open mid-2017;
• Holiday Inn Express Brisbane, opening in January 2017. The second of a 15-hotel partnership with Pro-invest following the debut of the brand in Australia in April with the opening of Holiday Inn Express Sydney Macquarie Park.

With significant experience in Asia and the Middle East, having worked for Whitbread in Development Planning and for Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, Abhijay brings a valuable level of experience to the IHG Australasia Development team:

“It is an exciting time to join IHG with an increasing amount of activity taking place with new developments and conversions in the pipeline.  Investor and developer sentiment with our brands is strong and we are ready to capitalise on a number of new opportunities,” he said.

The IHG Australasia* network sits at 41 hotels and 9453 rooms and is set to add a potential 4000 rooms by 2019 under the current development and conversion pipeline.

*Australasia includes Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu and French Polynesia

About IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group): IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global organisation with a broad portfolio of hotel brands, including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants, HUALUXE™ Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, EVEN® Hotels, Holiday Inn® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites®.

IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns more than 5,000 hotels and nearly 742,000 guest rooms in almost 100 countries, with nearly 1,400 hotels in its development pipeline. IHG also manages IHG® Rewards Club, the world's first and largest hotel loyalty programme, with nearly 94 million members worldwide.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales. More than 350,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.

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