What are IHG's plans for France?
Eric Viale - Through its various banners, IHG has 61 hotels in France16 projects have been signed and are currently under development. Our strategy is to grow both in the luxury segment - the new InterContinental Lyon Hôtel Dieu is the best example of this - and in the mid-range and entry-level segments with Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. We have just opened Holiday Inn Express stores in Bordeaux and Rouen and, at the same time, we are continuing to roll out Next Generation rooms in existing hotels. At the top end of the market, the future hotel Kimpton Opera will open in Paris in 2020, and we are finalising the renovation the InterContinental in Paris and Cannes, as well as the Crowne Plaza Paris-République.
This business brand seems to be evolving?
Eric Viale - IHG has unveiled a new concept designed by the Conran + Partner agency, which has created spaces that are more open to the outside world. Business customers will appreciate the new Travail PlazaThe hotel also offers a modular work area with meeting rooms and a catering service. For their part, the rooms have a new design décor based around three areas for working, relaxing and sleeping. The Crowne Plaza hotels in London-Heathrow and Hamburg will also benefit from this development.
What developments is IHG planning in Southern Europe?
Eric Viale - IHG's overall objective is to double the pace of growth of its brands. Boutique hotels Indigo are booming, with 109 locations worldwide and a hundred more planned to open within the next five years. For example, a second Indigo will open in Madrid this year. We will also be inaugurating a Kimpton hotel in the centre of Barcelona. As for InterContinental, we are interested in a number of destinations, but we need to find the right partner and the best location for each city. Finally, thanks to the Voco launched last year, IHG is also aiming to attract top-of-the-range independent hotels.
