Company Press Release: Bass Hotels & Resorts
March 3, 2000
ATLANTA, GA -- Bass Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: BAS) is to manage new Inter-Continental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday
Inn properties for a single developer in Tunisia, after signing a historic agreement as part of a major development
program in the Middle East and Africa. It is the first time that the world's leading hotel group has entered into
an agreement to operate its three main hotel brands on behalf of a single owner.
The unique agreement creates another new location for Bass Hotels & Resorts, which operates more than 2,800
hotels in more than 90 countries and territories, and is now committed to boosting Tunisia's stature as a travel
and business destination.
``This is a landmark agreement for Bass Hotels & Resorts, and highlights our ability to operate a multi-branded
range of properties under a single, consolidated corporate structure,'' commented David Bland, managing director
for Bass Hotels & Resorts in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
``It is a vivid demonstration of how the Inter-Continental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn brands -- each with their
own distinct identities and market sectors -- provide consumers and developers alike with the element of choice.''
The new hotels, to be known as the Hammamet Inter-Continental Resort, the Crowne Plaza Tunis and the Holiday Inn
Resort, Hammamet, are all owned by the Poulina Group, a leading specialist in Tunisia's tourism industry.
``We're delighted to have signed this agreement with Bass Hotels & Resorts,'' said Abdelwahab Ben Ayed, chairman
and CEO of the Poulina Group. ``In forming a new relationship with the world's leading hotel group, we will enjoy
many benefits, including the company's regional strength, global reach and expertise in managing a variety of complementary
brands.''
The new Inter-Continental and Holiday Inn hotels, scheduled to open towards the end of this year, are both currently
under construction in the new integrated resort of Yasmine Hammamet, blending a popular tourist resort with a residential
development. Yasmine Hammamet features a 740-ship capacity marina, theme park, casino, two golf courses, white
sandy beaches and the old city of Medina.
With 20 suites and 233 spacious double rooms, the Hammamet Inter- Continental Resort will be a prime venue for
conventions and seminars, offering a multi-purpose conference room, as well as a 300-seat main restaurant, 200-seat
a la carte restaurant, large terrace and American bar. Other facilities include a fitness club, indoor and outdoor
swimming pools, beach bar, tennis courts and childrens' club, while the hotel's large circular patio gives access
to a sea-front shopping mall.
The Holiday Inn Resort, Hammamet, with 23 suites and 271 rooms, has a 250- seat main restaurant, 120-seat a la
carte restaurant and multi purpose meeting room. Other facilities include a fitness club, indoor and outdoor swimming
pool, beach bar and private beach for relaxation, coffee shop and shopping arcade.
With construction work to begin shortly, the Crowne Plaza Tunis has a prime water front location in the capital's
expanding new business district. The 200-room hotel will open within three years.
Raymond Khalife, president, Bass Hotels & Resorts, Middle East and Africa commented: ``Tunisia will benefit
from our ability to attract major new business, leisure, conference and incentive traffic into the country through
the Bass Hotels & Resorts worldwide reservations system, and global network of hotels and reservations offices.''
The Tunisian agreement closely follows Bass Hotels & Resorts' establishment of Cairo as its regional headquarters
for the Middle East and Africa, in a global reorganisation of the company's corporate structure to reinforce its
position as the world's leading hotel group.
Bass Hotels & Resorts currently operates 106 Inter-Continental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn properties in
the Middle East and Africa, with another 33 under development in the region.
Note: Bass Hotels & Resorts® [LON:BAS, NYSE:BAS (ADRs)], the hotel business of Bass PLC of the United Kingdom,
operates or franchises more than 2,800 hotels and 450,000 guest rooms in more than 90 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 Court(SM),
Holiday Inn SunSpree® Resorts, Staybridge Suites® , Holidex®, Priority Club® Worldwide, Inter-Continental®,
Forum®, and Six Continents Club®.
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, and www.staybridge.com
for Staybridge Suites.
SOURCE: Bass Hotels & Resorts