IHG Eyes 400+ India Hotels in 5 Years on Record Growth
Overview
IHG Hotels & Resorts plans to more than double its India presence to over 400 hotels within five years, capitalizing on record signings and strong domestic demand. The expansion spans luxury to mid-scale brands, including the upcoming debut of its Vignette Collection.
IHG Hotels & Resorts, the global hospitality giant, has unveiled an aggressive expansion strategy for India, aiming to surpass 400 open and under-development hotels within the next five years. The company highlighted India as a "key growth engine" and announced a third consecutive year of record hotel signings in 2025, underpinning this ambitious target.
India: A Strategic Growth Market
IHG CEO Elie Maalouf emphasized India's status as a strategic global market crucial for the company's long-term growth. He cited robust domestic demand, favorable demographics, and strong owner confidence in IHG's brands as key drivers supporting this expansion.
Sudeep Jain, Managing Director of South West Asia for IHG, described India as one of the group's most active markets. He pointed to an underpenetrated branded hotel sector and sustained demand from both business and leisure travelers as significant opportunities.
Expanding Brand Footprint
Currently, IHG operates eight brands across India, from luxury offerings like Six Senses and InterContinental to mid-scale options such as Holiday Inn and Garner. This diverse portfolio forms the foundation for its accelerated growth phase.
The company plans to introduce its Vignette Collection brand to India in early 2026, further bolstering its presence in the luxury and lifestyle segment. This move aims to provide more choice and cater to evolving guest preferences.
Newer brands like Garner are also gaining traction. IHG launched Garner in India in 2025, with recent pipeline additions including Garner Etawah, Garner Kathua, Garner Kutch, and Garner Bhiwadi.
Key Brands Drive Scale
Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express brands collectively represent over 70% of IHG's operating hotels in India and form the bulk of its development pipeline. These mainstream brands anchor the company's extensive scale in the market.
Milestones include the opening of Crowne Plaza Lucknow in May 2025, marking IHG's 50th operational hotel in India. The voco brand also recently debuted, with signings across key cities and leisure destinations.
