CANNES, France -- InterContinental Hotels Group has signed
its first development deal for Regent Hotels
& Resorts, the luxury brand it acquired earlier this year.
The new property will be built in Kuala Lumpur, said Tom
Rowntree, IHG's global vice president for luxury.
During a media briefing at the International Luxury Travel
Market, Rowntree and Ginger Taggert, IHG’s vice president of marketing for
luxury brands, said the company recently presented its vision of growing the
brand to investors -- combining Regent’s heritage with modern design and
updated luxury standards for personal service and rich experiences.
Regent, founded in 1970, currently has six properties in
Asia and Europe and four more, including Kuala Lumpur, in development. The
long-term goal, Rowntree said, is to grow the brand to about 40 properties.