InterContinental Riyadh becomes prime choice of tourists visitors

(MENAFN- Arab News) RIYADH: InterContinental Riyadh is an architectural landmark and an important tourist center in the heart of the capital says a top management executive of the hotel.

It is one of the largest hotels in the Kingdom opened in 1976. Apart from the King Faisal Conference Hall the hotel has 274 rooms and suites including royal suites in addition to a number of vital facilities Tariq Dowidar general manager of InterContinental Riyadh told Al-Jazeera in an interview.

These are highlights of the interview:

Q: How do you assess the hotel after 40 years of service in the hospitality sector?
A: In fact from the very beginning the InterContinental Riyadh succeeded in taking a lead position amid the capital's hotels. Since the mid-seventies of the last century we have had the distinction of being the first five-star international hotel in the Saudi capital and perhaps that position has been strengthened by its unique balancing between the tradition springing from long experience and modernity achieved through a number of continuous developmental plans which included redesigning and development of the main entrance and the lobby.
Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of the hotel is the King Faisal Hall marked for its design and chosen by King Faisal.
The hotel has preserved this design to become its distinctive feature and an aesthetic landmark. It should be noted in the context of the ongoing developmental activities 11 meeting rooms that can accommodate between five to 120 people in each were opened on the ground floor in 2011. Two main restaurants three cafes a well-equipped modern playground and other facilities were arranged under the buildings of the executive president.

Q: How do you assess your market share when the number of hotels in Riyadh keeps on growing?
A: Any increase in the number of hotels does not necessarily mean an increase in expertise. If at all it has any major impact we consider that this is a challenge for us after the rich experience we had down the past decades. We have accepted the challenge and tackled it with excellent customer service benefiting from our accumulated experience and also with continuous improvement programs. Despite the hotel's long history it also undertakes unending modernization and development which enables it to maintain its market share and more.
We always count on the loyalty of our customers through several methods including excellent incentive bonuses a first in the world which gives our regular guests the privilege to use the facility in any of our branches around the world. There are also other incentive programs to please the customers.
In addition to the special rewards program for the business sector it offers plenty of rewards to its members. Here I am pleased to disclose about a new program to be added to the rewards packages which will be the first of its kind in the region and we expect its launch shortly.

Q: What about the occupancy rate throughout the year especially in tourist seasons?
A: InterContinental Riyadh is one of the most important destinations for tourist delegations coming to the capital. It is also the first choice of major international companies diplomatic and official delegations. This is what makes the occupancy rates high throughout the year.
The prime location of the hotel in Riyadh's city center on the major King Fahd Road is considered a privilege attractive to guests along with its traditional fame in the international hotel sector a high degree of security for companies and dignitaries in addition to our outstanding facilities including golf links bowling and tennis courts and swimming pools are some of the factors that attract customers to the hotel.

Q: Does the large hotel space play any role in providing a variety of options to customers and guests?
A: This is true. The large area of the hotel has helped us provide a wide range of options to our visitors and guests. This is in addition to the main lobby which is often overflowing with visitors. There is a special executive lobby with capacity for 30 guests besides Diwan Cafe that provides open and closed sittings with very high degree of privacy and luxury the Belson cafe has internal and external seatings and Golf club cafe offers exquisite sitting facility around the swimming pool.

Q: Doesn't the golf link in the hotel need more focusing to be made well known in the land?
A: In fact the golf link is well known to those who are interested in this sport. The hotel provides an opportunity for professionals and trainees to play here with the aim of popularizing the game among the Saudis and expatriates in the capital. Monthly championships are hosted by the hotel and sponsored by major companies in which famous champions from the Gulf participate. Marketing of such events is made through specialized channels. On the other hand our tennis tournaments draw greater attention with support from the Saudi Olympic Committee-Tennis with referees and expertise.