InterContinental to offer franchising and other international news

IHG to offer franchising
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is to offer a hotel franchising programme for the Holiday Inn Express brand in Greater China. The move follows the opening of the first six Holiday Inn Express hotels and the signing of close to 20 additional management contracts for the brand in the country. The company plans to focus development efforts of the brand on China's gateway cities and major economic centres, with the intention to partner with franchisees on a multi-property basis. The first Holiday Inn Express hotels in Greater China have been launched in cities including Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian and Tianjin with five more properties scheduled to open in 2007.

Delaware North appoints corporate executive chef
Catering company Delaware North has appointed Roland G Henin to the role of corporate executive chef and chief culinary ambassador. Henin, who has been promoted from corporate chef for Delaware's Parks & Resorts division, will be in charge of stewardship of the company's culinary reputation. He will have responsibility for the company's culinary direction, working closely with the executive chefs of each of the company's divisions. Dennis Szefel, Delaware North group president for hospitality operations, said: "Working in conjunction with the company's Culniary Council, Henin will continue to champion the company's culinary direction."

Starwood to enter TibetStarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is to launch its first hotel in Tibet with the opening of the St. Regis Resort Lhasa January 2010. The new-built 169-room hotel will be located on the eastern side of the Tibetan capital in close proximity to other tourist, retail and entertainment districts including the city's famous Potala Palace, which can be viewed from the hotel's guest rooms and lobby. The hotel will include 9,000sq ft of meeting space, three restaurants, a health club and spa, an indoor heated pool and a business centre.

Hilton to expand in the Middle East Hotel group Hilton plans to expand in the Middle East with the opening of four new properties in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon over the next two years. The company's first Lebanon property in Beirut is set to open later this year with 162 rooms. The refurbished Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa in Egypt will re-open in the first quarter of 2008 with 235 rooms. Hilton aims to open its Jordan properties in Amman and Aqaba in the first and second quarters of 2009. Hilton has a total signed pipeline of 11 properties in the Middle East, and a development goal of an additional 20 new signings over the next five years.

McDonald's sees strong Q1 results Fast-food giant McDonald's revenues for the first quarter of 2007 have increased 11.2% to $5.5b (£2.25b), driven by a global comparable sales increase of 6.3%. Operating income increased by 29% to $1.2b (£600m) with net income rising by 22% to $762.4m (£381m). The company said the positive results were driven by a global comparable sales increase as well as the successful implementation of the customer centric "Plan to Win" which has helped drive higher revenues, increased customer visits and enhanced profitability.

By Kerstin Kühn

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