World’s largest Holiday Inn announced for Makkah pilgrims

InterContinental Hotels Group IHG and Makkah Real Estate Company have signed an agreement to build the world’s largest Holiday Inn, the 1,238 room Holiday Inn Makkah, due to open in 2016.
This landmark agreement responds to the boom in religious tourism to Saudi Arabia.
This will be the first Holiday Inn on the pilgrimage route and will be located in Al-Aziziyah area near the city’s business center.
Its 1,238 rooms will be built in two towers.
Hani Hamad Al-Ghammas, CEO, Makkah Real Estate Company, said: “The Holiday Inn brand is all about great value and providing both comfort and quality.”
Hani Hamad Al-Ghammas: “We are confident that this formula, which has been hugely successful elsewhere in Saudi Arabia, will be the ideal offering for religious travelers bound for Makkah each year.”
Located on the intersection of Masjid Ash Shaikh Baz and Al-Masjid Al-Haram Road, the new Holiday Inn will be 3.5 km from the Holy Haram, 3.5 km from Mina, 1 km from Jamarat, 6.4 km from Muzdalifah and 14.5 km from Mount Arafat.
Pascal Gauvin, COO, Middle East India and Africa, IHG said: “Millions of people travel from all over the world to make the pilgrimage to Makkah. Our Holiday Inn brand is one of the world’s most well-known brands so visitors from all corners of the globe can book with us knowing they will get a consistent experience and level of comfort.”
Currently the world’s largest Holiday Inn is the 1,224 room Holiday Inn Macao Cotai Central situated in Macao, Greater China.