InterContinental Hotels Group, the world’s most global hotel company, has appointed Laurent Gabard as Area Director of Sales and Marketing in Lebanon – making him responsible for overseeing the continued development of five properties in the country.
Moving into the challenging role directly from holding the position of Director of Sales and Marketing at the InterContinental La Vendôme in France, Gabard has worked in the highly competitive sales and marketing sector for more than 15 years.
In addition to overseeing sales and marketing growth for all of InterContinental Hotels Group’s properties in Lebanon, Gabard has also been appointed Director of Sales and Marketing for the stunning InterContinental Phoenicia Beirut.
“It is wonderful to be here in Lebanon and I am pleased to say that since the InterContinental Phoenicia in Beirut reopened on April 5, we have experienced wonderful feedback from guests,” said Gabard.
Targeting guests primarily from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, the prestigious hotel – which overlooks the Mediterranean Sea, is located within easy walking distance from the city centre and is close to the shopping districts – has also currently undergone recent upgrade work. All rooms in the beautiful hotel – which is regarded as the capital’s landmark property – have new IP phones and all the club rooms and suites boasts LCD TV screens.
“With the addition of the terrace at the Italian restaurant, Caffe Mondo, and 16 gorgeous new suites, all of our visitors so far have been suitably impressed and we have once again reinforced our position in this competitive market,” said Gabard.
Gabard combines vast amount of experience in the hospitality industry with a strong academic achievements including an MBA – MBA “IMHI” focusing on international hotel, restaurant and tourism industries from Cornell University (Ithaca, USA).
Pleased to have Gabard on board in Lebanon, Denis Johnson, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, InterContinental Hotels Group Middle East and Africa, said: “Laurent has all of the experience and qualifications that InterContinental Hotels Group looks for when it comes to making a senior appointment in such a vibrant market. The entire team wishes him the best in this new role.”
About InterContinental Hotels Group
InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn hotels across the region can be booked with toll-free calls to the InterContinental Hotels Group Middle East Central Reservations Office in Bahrain (80000 880), Egypt (0800-4433322), Jordan (0800-22666), Kuwait (473 2100 ext 6233), Lebanon (01 426-801 - ask operator to connect to 866 866 7556), Oman (800 777 999), Pakistan (00800 909 971234) Qatar (0800 971234), Saudi Arabia (800 897 1465), and the UAE (800 4642).
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC of the United Kingdom [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world's most global hotel company and the largest by number of rooms. InterContinental Hotels Group owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, more than 3,500 hotels and 535,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world (www.ichotelsgroup.com). The Group owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn ® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, and Candlewood Suites®, and also has a controlling interest in Britvic, the second largest soft drinks manufacturer in the UK. InterContinental Hotels Group offers information and reservations capability on the Internet - www.intercontinental.com for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts,
www.crowneplaza.com for Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, www.holiday-inn.com for Holiday Inn hotels, www.hiexpress.com for Holiday Inn Express hotels, www.staybridge.com for Staybridge Suites by Holiday Inn hotels, and www.candlewoodsuites.com for Candlewood Suites, and for the Group's rewards programme, www.priorityclub.com For the latest news from InterContinental Hotels Group, visit our online Press Office at www.pressoffice.ihgplc.com
