The Holiday Inn brand, a part of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC, is currently in the process of preparing to play host for the London 2012 Games. The brand is the official hotel provider for the mega sporting event, and the flurry of activity at its Burton UK headquarters has reached fever pitch.
Employees from Holiday Inn are currently setting up the Olympic village, to host around 16,000 athletes and officials during the 2012 Games; in addition to 6,200 sporting personalities, and officials for the Paralympic Games. The staff will be offering housekeeping and hospitality services to the Olympic village. Accommodation will be provided in eleven residential blocks, each one housing around 1,100 residents.
Chris Hale, the Holiday Inn head of London 2012, said in an interview, ‘These will be the most important few weeks in an athlete’s life. As the official hotel provider to London 2012, we are determined to ensure that all athletes receive world class service during their stay in the Olympic and Paralympic Village, so they can focus fully on their preparation for the Games.’
The hotel group will also be sponsoring the 70-day UK wide tour of the Olympic Torch, and providing accommodation to the athletes covering the country as part of the Torch Relay Team. In addition, Holiday Inn is supporting around 50 British athletes by offering 1,500 complimentary room nights during their training until the end of 2012.