IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced its expansion plans in India by signing a management agreement for a new Holiday Inn Express hotel in Ayodhya. The upcoming hotel, featuring 125 rooms, is slated to begin operations by mid-2028, marking a significant milestone for IHG in one of India’s rapidly growing markets. This move aligns with IHG’s strategic focus on high-growth markets in India, particularly those that attract a large number of travelers to spiritual and cultural destinations. The new Ayodhya hotel aims to cater to a diverse group of travelers, including spiritual tourists, leisure visitors, and business travelers.
The Holiday Inn Express brand, known for its comfortable and affordable accommodations, boasts a global presence with over 3,100 hotels worldwide. The new hotel in Ayodhya will reflect these brand principles, offering reliable and consistent experiences to guests. Positioned strategically near key attractions such as the main temple complex, the airport, and the Railway Station, the hotel will ensure easy accessibility for visitors. Hotel amenities will include an all-day dining option, a fitness center, a business center, a laundry room, parking space, and a meeting room, enhancing the overall guest experience. IHG’s expansion in Ayodhya is a testament to its commitment to tapping into high-growth markets and providing quality accommodations to travelers.
Strategic Focus on High-Growth Markets
IHG’s decision to open a Holiday Inn Express in Ayodhya is part of a broader strategy to tap into high-growth markets within India. Recognizing the country’s surge in domestic and international travel, especially to spiritual and cultural destinations, IHG aims to address the growing demand for comfortable and affordable lodging options. By establishing a presence in Ayodhya, IHG can cater to the increasing number of travelers seeking reliable accommodations in spiritual hubs. This strategic focus aligns with IHG’s global expansion efforts and its commitment to meeting the needs of diverse travelers.
The Holiday Inn Express brand stands out for its excellent value proposition, offering guests a combination of essential amenities and services that ensure a comfortable stay. With a reputation for providing consistent experiences, the new Holiday Inn Express in Ayodhya will adhere to these principles. Guests can expect reliable services and amenities that cater to their diverse needs, maintaining the standards that Holiday Inn Express properties are known for worldwide. This strategic decision to expand in high-growth markets like Ayodhya underscores IHG’s commitment to growth and its dedication to enhancing the hospitality experience for travelers.
Ayodhya: A Growing Spiritual Destination
Ayodhya has emerged as a prominent tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year due to its rich spiritual and cultural heritage. In 2024 alone, the city drew over 110 million visitors in the first six months, highlighting its significance as a hub for religious and cultural tourism. The new Holiday Inn Express will be ideally situated near the airport, the main temple complex, and the Railway Station, ensuring easy accessibility for both domestic and international travelers. This strategic location will make it convenient for guests to explore Ayodhya’s key attractions and immerse themselves in the city’s spiritual and cultural offerings.
The hotel’s proximity to major attractions, combined with its range of amenities, will make it an attractive choice for various types of travelers. Spiritual tourists visiting the city’s temples, leisure visitors exploring its cultural heritage, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions) travelers attending conferences or events will find the hotel well-suited to their needs. Ayodhya’s appeal as a spiritual destination, combined with the quality accommodations and services offered by Holiday Inn Express, is expected to draw a steady flow of visitors, further boosting the city’s tourism sector and enhancing the overall travel experience.
Comprehensive Amenities for Diverse Travelers
The upcoming Holiday Inn Express in Ayodhya will offer comprehensive amenities designed to cater to the diverse needs of its guests. The hotel will feature an all-day dining option, providing a variety of meal choices that cater to different tastes and dietary preferences. This ensures that guests have access to quality dining options throughout their stay. Additionally, the fitness center will allow guests to maintain their exercise routines while traveling, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle even when away from home.
Business travelers will appreciate the hotel’s business center, equipped with essential services to support their professional needs. Whether it’s printing documents or accessing high-speed internet, the business center will provide the necessary resources for productivity. The meeting room will be an added advantage for MICE travelers, offering a versatile space to host conferences, seminars, and other events. Combined with other amenities such as a laundry room and ample parking space, the hotel ensures that guests have a comfortable and convenient stay, meeting their various needs effectively.
Commitment to Expanding in Secondary Markets
Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, emphasized the significance of Ayodhya’s location and its appeal as a spiritual destination in attracting a steady flow of tourists. He highlighted that the city’s cultural and religious significance makes it a prime location for the new Holiday Inn Express, reinforcing IHG’s commitment to expanding in secondary markets with cultural and religious importance. This move reflects IHG’s strategic focus on tapping into regions that offer growth potential and cater to the evolving needs of travelers.
The hotel’s owner, Abhishek Jain, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts, aiming to set new hospitality standards in Ayodhya. This collaboration is expected to elevate the hospitality experience in the city, offering guests a high-quality stay that aligns with the Holiday Inn Express brand’s reputation. The partnership showcases a shared vision of enhancing Ayodhya’s hospitality landscape and meeting the needs of the growing number of travelers to the city. The new hotel is expected to contribute significantly to the city’s tourism sector, driving economic growth and creating new opportunities in the region.
IHG’s Growth Plans in India
IHG Hotels & Resorts has unveiled plans to grow its presence in India by signing a management agreement for a new Holiday Inn Express hotel in Ayodhya. The 125-room hotel is expected to open by mid-2028, marking a pivotal development for IHG in India’s swiftly expanding markets. This strategy aligns with IHG’s focus on high-growth areas, particularly those attracting numerous spiritual and cultural travelers. The Ayodhya hotel will serve a variety of guests, including spiritual tourists, leisure travelers, and business professionals.
The Holiday Inn Express brand, renowned for its comfortable and affordable lodging, maintains a global footprint with over 3,100 hotels. The new Ayodhya hotel will uphold these standards, offering reliable and consistent guest experiences. Conveniently located near key attractions such as the main temple complex, the airport, and the Railway Station, the hotel will provide easy access for visitors. Amenities will include all-day dining, a fitness center, a business center, a laundry room, parking, and a meeting room, enhancing guest satisfaction. IHG’s move into Ayodhya underscores its commitment to high-growth markets and delivering quality accommodations to travelers.
