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IHG Academy Now in Four Cities Across China

2007-09-11 11:04 985

Two New Hospitality Education and Training Centres in Jinan and Shunde Complement Existing Centres in Shanghai and Chongqing

JINAN, China, Sept. 11 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, today launched the IHG Academy in two new locations -- Jinan in the northern Shandong Province and Shunde in southern Guangdong Province.

(Logo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/200702131431-min.jpg )

First launched in Shanghai in June 2006, and joined by the Chongqing Campus in February 2007, the IHG Academy offers a series of specially-developed learning programmes aimed at addressing the demand for trained talent in the fast-growing hotel industry. These two new hospitality education and training centres further reinforce IHG's commitment towards development capability among local talent. They also extend the scope of IHG's superior hospitality training to the North and South of China, giving IHG Academy the ability to train and nurture a larger talent pool across various parts of China.

Edmond Ip, chief operating officer for IHG Greater China, said: "The expansion of the IHG Academy across China helps us to build a renewable pool of skilled, well-trained talent. It also gives opportunities and bright career paths to talented students from across the country. Because of the Academy program's superior career benefits and skills development, we are pleased to say that IHG is helping China's future hoteliers enter the ranks of the world's best."

The students will get their best possible start in the industry from the IHG Academy's three-year Advanced Certification programme, which covers various tourism and hotel industry subjects. All programmes combine theoretical sessions by university lecturers, industry lectures given by executives from IHG, and internship exposure at hotels under the IHG portfolio.

Along with the three-year Advanced Certification program, the IHG Academy will also offer a series of shorter four to eight-week certification programmes designed to enhance skills in the front office, housekeeping or food and beverage functions. This diversity of programmes allows students, and employers, to train for the specific needs they must fulfil, regardless of their current placement, giving them greater options and better career prospects within the hospitality industry.

To ensure the highest quality education, the centres are affiliated with the top hospitality institutions in their respective regions - Shandong College of Tourism and Hospitality in Jinan and Shunde Polytechnic in Guangzhou. These schools provide the professional support that the IHG Academy requires, along with national and international certifications for graduates.

IHG has spent the past 23 years developing its hotel network in China. Today, the company has 71 hotels spread across four brands, and is on track to meeting its goal of having 125 hotels opened by 2008. This rapid expansion is testament to the quality of IHG's services and the company's commitment to excellence in hospitality for China.

More information on career opportunities with IHG can be found at http://www.careers.ichotelsgroup.com .

Notes 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 3,800 hotels and more than 563,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. IHG owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands including InterContinental(R) Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza(R) Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn(R) Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express(R), Staybridge Suites(R), Candlewood Suites(R) and Hotel Indigo(R), and also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority Club(R) 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 http://www.ihg.com and information for the Priority Club Rewards programme at http://www.priorityclub.com .

For the latest news from IHG, visit our online Press Office at http://www.ihg.com/media .

Source: InterContinental Hotels Group
Keywords: Travel
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