AREA GENERAL MANAGER, OMAN, IHG, EXPLAINED, THE COMPANY IS POISED FOR THE LAUNCH OF THE FIFTH CROWNE PLAZA, AS WELL AS NEW INTERCONTINENTAL AND HOLIDAY INN HOTELS.
TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Having recently taken over as area general manager for the six properties in the country, what are your current goals and priorities?
THIERRY PERROT: [This] is a challenging year, due to the oil price reduction, unrest in the Middle East and the devaluation of the Euro. This makes my role a challenging one, but also exciting in the way how we can manage our six properties through this journey. I am confident we can overcome [challenges], as we have great teams with a lot of experience onboard.
TRAVEL TRADE MENA: With a vast experience in several locations around the globe including the UK, Africa, France, Switzerland, Indonesia, South Korea, Egypt and the UAE, how different do you find the Omani market?
THIERRY PERROT: The Omani culture is very friendly and the Omanis are well known for their hospitality.
InterContinental Muscat was the first five-star hotel in Muscat and is known for its history and Omani service which is key for our ‘in the know’ experience.
Next to that, Oman is very diverse, from the mountains to the desert, the Khareef season in Salalah and the wadis throughout the country, not to mention the beautiful white beaches with the blue ocean.
TRAVEL TRADE MENA: With the Crowne Plaza brand enjoying big presence in the country, how is IHG aiming to enhance its portfolio in Oman in the years to come?
THIERRY PERROT: We are opening our fifth Crowne Plaza in Muscat in early 2017 which will be Crowne Plaza Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, next to the new convention centre. With the opening of the new convention venue, Oman is capable of attracting a new big segment; MICE.
With big exhibitions and conferences, Oman will grow as a destination.
[In addition] to Crowne Plaza Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, we will be opening InterContinental Muscat Hills Golf Resort. This brand-new resort and spa will be [part of] Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club Muscat and is due to open 2019. With the [help] of the country’s Ministry of Tourism, this hotel will be an asset to attract tourism to the Sultanate.
Oman is continuously developing with a lot of opportunities. Omran, the owning company of Crowne Plaza Duqm, InterContinental Muscat as well as Crowne Plaza Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, will be redeveloping the Port Sultan Qaboos. Together with that, a lot of new hotels will be added to the portfolio.
IHG is also looking into further developing its portfolio. We are looking for more opportunities to build new Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn hotels.
