Press Release: Bass Hotels & Resorts
December 13, 2000
SINGAPORE -- Bass Hotels & Resorts announced yesterday that it will make a bold move to expand and enhance
its Inter-Continental hotel brand portfolio in Asia-Pacific. The company will invest more than US$70 million to
establish or refurbish 14 new hotels in five markets over the next two years, including China, India, Malaysia,
French Polynesia and New Zealand.
The projected growth in inventory by Bass represents the largest expansion development for any five-star hotel
brand in the region. Once completed, there will be 29 Inter-Continental hotels across 14 markets in Asia-Pacific.
``Asia-Pacific is one of our key markets due to the potentially explosive growth in business travel and tourism
over the next two years. This significant investment and expansion plan demonstrates our absolute focus on and
understanding of what drives guest satisfaction. It means that international business and leisure travelers will
have more Inter-Continental options located in more diverse destinations to meet their unique needs - all with
a level of quality and service second-to-none,'' said Mr. Thomas Oliver, Chairman and CEO of Bass Hotels &
Resorts International.
Beginning in January 2001, Bass Hotels & Resorts will build its Inter- Continental hotel presence in New Zealand
(Wellington, Christchurch), China (Beijing, Pudong, Shanghai), India (New Delhi, Srinagar, Goa, Mumbai), Malaysia
(Penang) and French Polynesia (Moorea, Bora Bora, Tahiti). The six hotels in Beijing, Srinagar, Goa, Mumbai (2)
and the French Polynesia will be brand new establishments while the others will be conversions. The first target
for the expansion plan will be the opening of the Grand Palace Inter- Continental Resort in Srinagar which will
have 333 rooms. The expansion plan is scheduled to complete by January 2003 with another Inter-Continental Resort
in French Polynesia.
``We have been experiencing a significant growth in visitor levels in the region,'' said Richard Hartman, Managing
Director of Bass Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific. ``Each and every market in Asia Pacific recorded a boost in
tourism arrivals from 1998 to 1999, with an average increase across the region of 9% (see footnote). We expect
this growth to continue and strengthen further over the next two years,'' Mr. Hartman said.
``Our expansion plan is an acknowledgement of the potential of the Asia Pacific region and will enhance our ability
to offer a quality customer experience wherever our customers need first-class hotel accommodation,'' he said.
Footnote: According to a survey conducted by PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association), sustained growth in travel
across Asia Pacific was evident in the first five months of 2000 and tourist arrivals increased by an average of
another 7% in key markets. New Zealand, China, India, Malaysia, South & Central Pacific showed strong growth
in 2000 with 8, 6.5, 5.2 (1999), 13 and 8% respectively.
About Bass Hotels & Resorts
Bass Hotels & Resorts® (NYSE: BAS; London) (ADRs), the hotel business of Bass PLC of the United Kingdom,
owns, operates or franchises more than 3,000 hotels and 490,000 guest rooms in close to 100 countries and territories.
The following are some of the service marks owned by Bass Hotels & Resorts, Inc., its subsidiaries or affiliates:
Holiday Inn®, Crowne, Plaza®, Holiday Inn Express®, Holiday Inn Select®, Holiday Inn Garden CourtSM,
Holiday Inn SunSpree® Resorts, Staybridge Suites® by Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Family Suites(SM) Resort
, Holidex®, Priority Club® Worldwide, Inter-Continental®, Forum®, and Six Continents Club®.
Centra® in Canada and Mexico; Centra(SM) in the U.S.; Parkroyal® in the U.S. and Canada; Parkroyal®
in Mexico.
Bass Hotels & Resorts, Inc. offers information and reservations capability on the Internet - www.basshotels.com,
www.interconti.com for Inter-Continental Hotels and Resorts, www.crowneplaza.com
for Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts, www.holiday-inn.com for Holiday Inn
hotels, www.hiexpress.com for Holiday Inn Express hotels, www.staybridge.com
for Staybridge Suites by Holiday Inn, and www.priorityclub.com. For the
latest news from Bass Hotels & Resorts, visit our new online Press Office at http://www.pressoffice.basshotels.com
SOURCE: Bass Hotels & Resorts