InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), the world�s most global hotel operator, has appointed Mohammed Tareq Al Khaja as the new Global Sales Manager for the Government and Protocol sector. Al Khaja stood out as an exceptional candidate, especially due to his dedication and commitment to achieving excellence and his passion for the regional hospitality industry.

In his new role, the young Emirati is tasked with developing and managing relationships with key Middle East government and royal protocol representatives. Al Khaja will aim to increase market and consumer share for IHG in these sectors while facilitating the clients� specific requirements.

�I am delighted to be given this opportunity and to grow within the hospitality industry as the new Global Sales Manager, Government & Protocol for IHG,� said Al Khaja. �I am passionate about representing my country and I love meeting with customers from all walks of life. Hospitality is an extremely important and natural part of the UAE culture, and the hotel industry in the UAE offers many exciting challenges as one of the most dynamic and fast moving hotel markets in the world. It allows ambitious UAE nationals opportunities to develop.�

According to Chris Watson, Vice President, Human Resources, InterContinental Hotels Group, Middle East & Africa, IHG is committed to encouraging locals that have an intimate knowledge of their country and culture into the hospitality industry.

�The use of regional people in advertisements is one way in which we are addressing nationalisation, especially in the MEA region,� said Watson. �This also demonstrates our overall commitment to cultural diversity and positive difference.�

�The nationalisation drive throughout the region is certainly working to encourage more locals to look at a wide range of jobs,� commented Al Khaja. �I hope more nationals are encouraged to gain the benefits of working for internationally-renowned companies such as IHG. I believe everything is possible if you have a goal.�

Al Khaja joins IHG after undertaking extensive vocational training implemented within one of the group�s properties, where he took a number of hospitality courses specialising in areas such as Sales & Marketing, Front Office, Food & Beverage Operations and Administration. After his studies he joined the former InterContinental Dubai where he began his hospitality career. He later worked at the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai, before returning to IHG to begin his current role.

Michel Augier, Acting Chief Operating Officer, InterContinental Hotels Group, Middle East & Africa said: �Government and Protocol is an extremely important sector for the InterContinental brand, which is focused on luxury and �in the know� destination experiences across the globe. Al Khaja will play a vital role in ensuring we meet the specific needs of these high level customers and we welcome him, his enthusiasm and his expertise to IHG.�

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Note 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 3,700 hotels and more than 558,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. IHG owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands including InterContinental� Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza� Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn� Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express�, Staybridge Suites�, Candlewood Suites� and Hotel Indigo�, and also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority Club� 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 www.ihg.com and information for the Priority Club Rewards programme at www.priorityclub.com.

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