InterContinental Hotels Group, continues to grow its Americas region through franchising. The Americas region recently announced it has 458 properties (48,178 rooms) in the pipeline (as of June 30, 2004). An already strong region with 2,800 hotels (390,941 rooms) in 25 countries, the Americas continued its growth momentum at a steady pace from January, June 2004, with the opening of 73 hotels (8,000 rooms). `IHG`s phenomenal growth through franchising can be attributed to its ability to support its hotel network with efficient business practices, and its historical strength as a collaborative franchisor, said Kirk Kinsell, SVP, Americas Franchise and Business Development, IHG. We are seeing robust interest and steady development across all of our brands. IHG`s continued development momentum is evidenced across all seven hotel brands (as of June 30, 2004):