InterContinental Tbilisi to open in 2016

A brand of luxury hotels is set to begin operating in Tbilisi in two years.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced it had signed-off on a deal to launch InterContinental Tbilisi and open in 2016.

The 200-room hotel will operate under a management agreement with the existing owner-partner Adjara Group, a Tbilisi-based hospitality company.

A central city piece of land that was once a printing works warehouse will be transformed into the InterContinental Tbilisi.

The iconic building located in the heart of the Georgian capital will be at home amongst Tbilisi’s eclectic mix of Georgian, European and Middle Eastern architecture, stated international hotel industry media Hotel News Resource.

The hotel will be within walking distance of the city’s major landmarks and neighbouring embassies and business centres.

IHG’s chief executive officer of Europe, Angela Brav, said Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)was a priority market for the company.

"We’re thrilled to be signing a property under our flagship InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand in Georgia. We are on track to have 100 hotels open or in the development pipeline in Russia and the CIS by 2020 and look forward to further expanding our presence in this region,” Brav said.

Adjara Group, which owned Holiday Inn Tbilisi, believed the InterContinental Tbilisi and its "excellent location” would be perfectly placed to meet the needs of a fast-growing business and leisure travel market in Georgia’s capital city.

"IHG has an excellent world-wide reputation for great service and great brands. We’re delighted to be bringing the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand to Georgia for the first time in partnership with them,” Valeri Chekheria, CEO of Adjara Group said.

Currently, full-service international hotels operating in Georgia include Tbilisi Marriott, Courtyard Marriott, Sheraton Metekhi Palace, Radisson Blu Iveria and Holiday Inn.

Earlier this February, Moxy, the newest hotel by world hotel chain Marriott International expressed interest entering the Georgian market. If this happened, Georgia will be set to become the first Eastern European country to welcome a new affordable but chic hotel brand to the region.

IHG’s broader family of nine hotel brands are located in nearly 100 countries and territories.

Caption: The 200-room hotel will operate under a management agreement with existing owner-partner Adjara Group.