IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) is pursuing an expansion plan in Greater China that explores popular and emerging destinations. Leveraging its global experience, deep local insights and a rich brand portfolio, the company is well-positioned to respond to increasing domestic travel demand and is ready to welcome Chinese and international travelers alike in the new era of travel, according to IHG.
With open borders between Hong Kong, Macao and Mainland China, as well as increased international travel and favorable government policies, China’s culture and tourism industries are embracing rapid development. According to data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, domestic trips during Chinese New Year increased by 23.1% year-over year (YOY), with revenue increasing 30% YOY, highlighting strong recovery and potential for the domestic tourism market.
“With multiple domestic travel incentives and the steady recovery of the tourism industry, we believe that the Chinese market is poised for strong growth,” said Daniel Aylmer, managing director, IHG Greater China. “The recent boom in travel for Chinese New Year has laid a strong foundation for the continued development of the culture and tourism sector this year. With a long-standing commitment to being ‘In China, for China. IHG remains confident in the market and strives to lead the industry with our portfolio of Luxury & Lifestyle, Premium and Essential brands, offering high-end modernity and quality accommodation. We are continuously enriching our brand portfolio through partnerships, delivering distinctive new hotels that showcase the beauty of China to travelers.”
IHG currently has 12 brands in Greater China, with a total of more than 1,000 hotels operating or under the pipeline. This year, it will continue to expand its footprint in Greater China, covering more than 200 cities.
New Luxury & Lifestyle hotels
As Greater China’s high-end consumers and tourism market grow more refined, IHG has closely followed regional development strategies and strengthened the presence of its Luxury & Lifestyle brands in first-tier cities and popular tourist destinations. This year, Regent, a global top-tier luxury hotel brand that is focused on Asia expansion, has revealed a brand remodeling plan that will define its ongoing legacy at landmark destinations. Following its re-imagined design and visual identity, the brand has returned to a classic landmark on the shores of Victoria Harbour with Regent Hong Kong, ushering in a new chapter of elegance and tradition. The brand’s second Shanghai hotel, Regent Shanghai on The Bund, will open its doors in the second half of this year, inheriting classic historic and artistic value with unique new luxury travel experiences.
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, IHG’s flagship brand, will also continue to expand its footprint this year. With a focus on resort destinations near important economic areas, it will be enhancing its competitiveness in the local and short-haul travel markets. As a new landmark in Shanghai Lingang, the newly upgraded InterContinental Shanghai Harbour City offers one-stop vacation services that maximize guests’ experiences around Dishui Lake. InterContinental Shenzhen WECC is set to open in a grand manner in the third quarter of this year, offering high quality accommodations for MICE guests from around the globe.
Driven by an improving consumer environment, IHG has been strategically expanding the boutique hotel sector, led by Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. Following Kimpton’s first mainland China opening in Suzhou, Shanghai Kimpton Qiantan is scheduled to open in the second half of this year, bringing the brand’s service excellence, design leadership and luxury without attitude to the vibrant Lujiazui commercial and financial district.
No two neighborhoods are alike. Neither are any two Hotel Indigo properties. Boutique lifestyle brand Hotel Indigo draws inspiration from the local neighborhood, culture and trends to ensure no two travel experiences are alike. It seeks out the world’s most inspiring cities, including Zhejiang Province, which will welcome three hotels from the brand this year. In Guangzhou, the Hotel Indigo Guangzhou Haixinsha will open its doors to guests this summer, offering 360-degree waterfront views that seamlessly combine natural and cultural landscapes with the vibrancy of the city.
Refreshed offerings with personal and purposeful trips
With the rise of “bleisure,” Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts is becoming the preferred choice for business travelers. With sincere service and high-quality facilities, Crowne Plaza is continually evolving with the modern work era to be more digital, flexible and connected. This year, the brand will focus on openings in popular tourist cities such as Hangzhou and Xi’an, as well as key cities in the Greater Bay Area such as Jiangmen, and Guangdong. It will continue to remain the strong growth in both the business and leisure travel markets.
Crafted with the customs of Chinese consumers in mind, the upgraded HUALUXE Hotels and Resorts 2.0 will continue to provide guests with immersive Chinese cultural experiences. This year, the brand will open hotels in Sanya, Handan and other popular destinations, breathing life into the Chinese aesthetic lifestyle as guests take on a new understanding of sophistication.
voco invites guests to join in a sustainable living—offering diverse and delightful experiences, will continue its ease of conversion in this year, voco Guangzhou Shifu, which starts at the smallest details, will welcome guests with joy and comfort, enabling guests to feel the joy of being welcomed.
To meet consumer demands for a healthy lifestyle, the newly rebranded EVEN Hotels is accelerating its Greater China network this year. The EVEN Hotel Suzhou Grand Canal recently opened its doors, and additional hotels will continue opening in first-tier cities and the Greater Bay Area, with locations in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Zhongshan.
Essential brands that bring true hospitality to the local market
As the award-winning global icon for its heartfelt hospitality, Holiday Inn will continue its local focus with new openings in popular cities and destinations such as Sanya, Beihai, Xi’an and Chengdu. Holiday Inn hotels can also be found in niche destinations, such as Holiday Inn Deqing Xinshi Ancient Town.
As IHG’s one of the most powerful growth engines, Holiday Inn Express will continue to expand its footprint with a consumer focus in 2023. By taking on local market characteristics, it will accelerate reach to lower-tier cities. Its trusted high-quality guest experience, strong commercial performance for owners, and customized franchise model for the China market will continue to strengthen its leading position in the upper-midscale hotel market. Openings from the brand in 2023 will cover more than 15 provinces and municipalities, including Shenzhen, Shantou, and Guangzhou in the south, as well as Wuhan and Changsha in the central region. The western region will encompass cities such as Chongqing and Kunming. Holiday Inn Express will continue to adapt to major transportation hubs in Greater China with openings near the Shanghai Pudong Airport and Hangzhou Airport. Third- and fourth-tier cities such as Zhenjiang, Jiangmen and Weifang, as well as niche tourist destinations such as Wawu Mountain and Taizhou, will also welcome more Holiday Inn Express hotels.
More global openings
As outbound travel policies gradually relax for China, IHG Hotels & Resorts is expanding into more destinations worldwide, helping guests to experience unique and exciting cultures. The Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel, underwent two years of renovation and will soon debut in Cannes, France. InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace presents the perfect fusion of Italy’s rich heritage in luxury, art and architecture with modern sophistication, delivering hospitality excellence to guests with timeless theatrical elegance. Vignette Collection, Casa da Companhia, located in the center of the historic old town of Porto, Portugal, not only retains its original 18th-century design but allows guests to stroll through the streets of the ancient city, savoring the city’s every brick and tile. Hotel Indigo Shibuya in Tokyo, Japan, incorporates the city’s rhythm into hotel design, bringing the unique neighboring culture to life. Kimpton Roatán will allow guests to explore a coral reef located in Honduras at Roatán Island.
