The appointment comes as IHG surpasses the milestone of 1,000 operating hotels in Europe, with more than 280 additional properties in development.
Strengthening IHG’s Development Presence in Southern Europe
Having taken up her position in October 2026, Rozenn Lavaur Fournier is now responsible for IHG Hotels & Resorts’ development activities in Greece and Cyprus, two markets identified as strategically important by the British hotel group.
Working within the Southern European development organisation led by Hylko Versteeg, she will focus on identifying new development opportunities, strengthening relationships with hotel owners and investors, and negotiating franchise and management agreements.
Her remit encompasses IHG’s entire brand portfolio, from Luxury & Lifestyle properties to its Premium and Essential brands.
Extensive Hotel Development Experience Across Europe
Rozenn Lavaur Fournier brings experience in hotel development and operations, having previously held positions with Dolce Hotels & Resorts, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Accor, United Hospitality Management and Sophos Hotels.
Her previous responsibilities have included developing market-entry strategies, sourcing and evaluating projects, structuring transactions and negotiating hotel agreements.
Her experience spans France, the Iberian Peninsula, Greece and the wider Southern European region.
Fifteen Hotels Operating or Under Development
IHG currently operates nine hotels across Greece and Cyprus, with a further six properties in the development pipeline.
| Market | Operating Hotels | Pipeline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greece | 7 | 3 | 10 |
| Cyprus | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Total | 9 | 6 | 15 |
The group’s regional portfolio includes InterContinental Athenaeum Athens, InterContinental Crete and Kimpton La Mer Crete in Greece, alongside Hotel Indigo Larnaca in Cyprus.
Its Premium and Essential segments are also represented by Crowne Plaza Athens – City Centre, Holiday Inn Thessaloniki and Crowne Plaza Limassol.
For IHG, strong international travel demand and continued investment by hotel owners are two factors supporting further brand expansion across these destinations.
IHG’s development strategy in Greece also includes the planned arrival of Ruby Hotels in Athens in 2027.
In Crete, the group has also announced the development of two luxury hotels under its Vignette Collection and Kimpton brands.
Prioritising Partnerships with Hotel Owners
Hylko Versteeg, Head of Development Southern Europe at IHG, has emphasised the importance of the appointment in establishing a dedicated development presence across the two countries.
He highlighted Rozenn Lavaur Fournier’s hotel development expertise, her understanding of regional markets and her established relationships with investors and hotel owners.
For her part, the newly appointed Director of Development intends to expand IHG’s brand presence while building long-term partnerships with local property owners.
Based at the group’s Paris office, she joins a development organisation tasked with supporting IHG’s growth across both established destinations and emerging hospitality markets in Southern Europe.
At a Glance
Appointment: Rozenn Lavaur Fournier, Director of Development for Greece & Cyprus.
Company: IHG Hotels & Resorts.
Effective date: October 2026.
Location: IHG’s Paris office.
Greece portfolio: 7 operating hotels and 3 properties in the pipeline.
Cyprus portfolio: 2 operating hotels and 3 properties in the pipeline.
