Trancepass: stories and thoughts on tourism, travel, hospitality and life.: Crowne Plaza Semarang Introduces the Largest Hotel Ballroom in Central Java

Crowne Plaza Semarang welcomes ‘Visit Central Java 2013’with strong MICE offerings

Semarang, INDONESIA, February 25th 2012 – Crowne Plaza Semarang welcomes the local tourism authority’s ‘Visit Central Java 2013’ campaign with strong offerings, aimed to further drive MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) tourism to Central Java. Newly opened on 22 January 2012, it is the first Crowne Plaza hotel in the region.

“Semarang, the capital of Central Java, is a well-known MICE destination amongst business travellers from Jakarta and its surrounding cities, making up more than fifty per cent of the city’s inbound visitors,” said Ian Reid, general manager, Crowne Plaza Semarang. “With the largest hotel ballroom in the region, Crowne Plaza Semarang offers world-class convention and accommodation meeting facilities to better host major nationwide and international events.”

Crowne Plaza Semarang offers 270 rooms and suites, two restaurants and a lobby lounge, an executive club lounge, swimming pools, a fitness centre, a business centre, and a wedding gallery. The Grand Ballroom - designed for large-scale occasions such as international conventions, national seminars, exhibitions and wedding receptions – can accommodate up to 2,000 guests. The hotel also houses meeting rooms in various layouts for small to medium-sized events of 20 to 100 guests.

The pillar-less 1,890 square metre hall can be divided into 5 smaller function spaces with modular partitions. Equipped with the latest audio-visual and lighting technology, its walls and partitions are also sound-proof.

“The cities of Solo and Yogyakarta have enjoyed the benefits of having large exhibition halls, and they have hosted many national events due to the availability of suitable MICE facilities,” said Bustamar Koto, director of sales & marketing, Crowne Plaza Semarang. “To be able to compete with other cities, Semarang needed a representative venue. Crowne Plaza Semarang offers a competitive alternative MICE destination in the region, and we believe it will help position Semarang as a world-class MICE tourism destination.”

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Media Contacts:
Jean Tan Mohammad Iqbal

IHG Marketing Communications Manager
Tel: +65 6395 6109 Crowne Plaza Semarang
jean.tan@ihg.com +62 24 8657 9111

mohammad.iqbal@ihg.com

Gene Vallejo-Yeo / Iris Leong
Bite Communications for IHG
+65 6323 7377
gene.yeo@bitecommunications.com

Iris.leong@bitecommunications.com

Notes to Editors:

About Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts

As part of the IHG global portfolio, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts (Crowne Plaza) is a dynamic hotel brand located in nearly 60 countries around the world in major urban centres, gateway cities and resort destinations. As the fourth largest upscale hotel brand in the world, Crowne Plaza was recently recognised by Lodging Hospitality magazine as one of the industry's top-growing brands and travel buyers rated Crowne Plaza as the top upscale/select-service brand in Business Travel News' 2011 U.S. Hotel Chain survey.

Truly international, Crowne Plaza offers premium accommodation, designed for the discerning business and leisure travellers who appreciate simplified elegance combined with the practicality of the latest features, as well as value for money. At Crowne Plaza, guests can enjoy a 24-hour business service, wireless high speed internet access in the lobby plus fitness and leisure facilities. For reservations at Crowne Plaza properties, visit www.crowneplaza.com. Twitter www.twitter.com/crowneplaza or Facebook www.facebook.com/crowneplaza.

About IHG

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global organisation operating seven hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites® . IHG also manages Priority Club® Rewards, the world’s first and largest hotel loyalty programme with over 63 million members worldwide.

IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns over 4,400 hotels and more than 658,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories, and has more than 1,100 hotels in its development pipeline.

IHG expects to recruit around 90,000 new people worldwide across its estate over the next few years and is committed to gender balance throughout its business. We aspire to continue retaining a minimum of 25% female representation on the Board.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group’s holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and

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