IHG team members at the cycling event. IHG team members at the cycling event.

Intercontinental Hotel Group's’s annual Race Around the World event, which took place from September 22-29, saw more than 177,000 team members carry out pledges to raise funds for the group’s Shelter in a Storm initiative.

Team members from corporate offices and hotels across 67 countries participated in activities to raise funds, and nearly 170,000 pledges were fulfilled across Asia, Middle East and Africa.

For each activity, IHG made a donation of US $1 to the IHG Shelter Fund, a ready pool of funds collected throughout the year, which enables the hotel group to respond during natural disasters.

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In the Middle East, activities pledged by the corporate office included a treasure hunt around Dubai Festival City Mall, a 6km cycling event in Mushrif Park, and a ‘jazzercise’ class, where executives from the corporate office donned their brightest gym clothes for an hour of jazz, resistance training, pilates, and kickboxing.

Team from InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, and Crowne Plaza Dubai also participated in fund-raising activities such as cycling around Yas Marina circuit, Zumba fitness classes, and running the length of Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach.

IHG chief operating officer India, Middle East and Africa Pascal Gauvin said: “We are really excited to be joining IHG colleagues from across the world to do what we can in raising awareness and funds for IHG Shelter in a Storm. Our pledge to get active and raise money for IHG Shelter in a Storm was not only great fun, but it also generated a huge amount of engagement among our people and of course raised money for what is a fantastic cause.”