Continuous investment in people leads to service excellence and recognition as employer of choice
SHANGHAI, Dec. 10 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has been recognised as one of China's Top Employers for the second year in a row by Corporate Research Foundation (CRF), an international organization that specialises in identifying the world's best employers. The prestigious award acknowledges IHG's ongoing commitment to the welfare and development of its staff as the company continues to expand in China.
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IHG was the only hotel management company to win this award in Shanghai following a strict selection process that assessed key areas including compensation and benefits, working conditions, training, promotion and development, company culture and innovation.
"We are honoured to receive this award again. Our people are our number one priority; they're at the heart of what we are and what we represent to our guests. We believe that happy and motivated employees lead to service excellence and satisfied guests," said Edmond Ip, chief operating officer for IHG Greater China. "Our investment in people has proven to be one of the key reasons for our overall success."
IHG invests heavily in the training and development of its employees. The company's investments include the establishment of the IHG Academy, which is currently in 5 cities across China. IHG Academy offers a series of specially developed learning programmes to address the demand for trained talent in China's fast-growing hotel industry.
Through its world-class, human resources practices, IHG creates a working environment where talented individuals can grow, develop and make a difference. Since arriving in China more than 23 years ago, IHG has created over 31,000 job opportunities in Greater China. The company plans to expand its China portfolio to 125 hotels by 2008, which will create another 20,000 jobs.
"As a leader in the hospitality industry and an employer of choice, IHG is committed to contributing its international expertise and experience in talent development to support the rapidly growing hotel industry in China," Ip added.
Notes to Editors:
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) of the United Kingdom (LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)) is one of the world's largest hotel groups by number of rooms. IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 3,800 hotels and more than 571,000 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 37 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
