Leveraging its smart, vibrant guest offerings and notable advantages in ROI for owners, Holiday Inn Express has garnered attention from owners and investors since entering the China market.

With a pioneering spirit, the brand has grown to become a mainstay in the region, accompanying travellers on quality, enjoyable journeys across diverse destinations.

Jerome Qiu, Chief Operating Officer of IHG Greater China said, “In the fiercely competitive midscale hotel market, Holiday Inn Express has consistently stayed true to its tenets of quality and reliability, setting a benchmark in the industry. With two decades in China, we have served as a pioneer in advancing the franchise model, actively growing into the local business travel market. Over the years, we have extended our brand footprint along convenient high-speed rail routes to offer owners a one-stop solution encompassing cooperation, investment, brand, product, and operations — continuously optimizing profitability. As of now, the brand enjoys a presence in all 34 provincial-level administrative regions. Looking ahead, over 27 cities will host five or more Holiday Inn Express hotels. With a total footprint exceeding 500 properties, Holiday Inn Express is poised to unlock further potential in China, reaffirming IHG’s steadfast commitment to this market.”

Globally, Holiday Inn Express has firmly established its leadership in the upper midscale hotel sector, boasting 3,131 operational hotels and 643 hotels in the pipeline as of Q3 2023. Of these, the Greater China region contributes significantly with 209 hotels in the pipeline, constituting one-third of the global total in the pipeline. This sustained growth aligns with the brand's long-term vision to drive industry expansion.

Holiday Inn Express provides consistent Frictionless, Personal, Transparent, and Value-Rich services for stays in China’s bustling urban centres as well as hidden gems. As the brand upholds its internationally acclaimed standards, it consistently listens to market demands, adapting localized strategies to grow in tandem with the local market. Leveraging its advantages, it has proactively responded to China’s national policies, playing a role in driving the high-quality development of the hotel industry. Holiday Inn Express has become an industry disruptor, representing the new generation of upper midscale hotel trends, and shaping a fresh direction for the industry.

Five Pillars of Strategic Excellence

With this 500th hotel milestone, IHG is reaffirming its commitment to investors through a five-pillar philosophy, rooted in heartfelt sincerity and market success to ensure owners stand out and maintain their competitive edge in an increasingly intense market environment.

• Cooperation Sincerity: IHG upholds an unwavering "In China, For China" commitment. By operating a two-pronged franchise and managed model, the group is promoting the steady growth of Holiday Inn Express. Respecting and encouraging owners' autonomy, it showcases authentic services supported by international standards, aiming to be the international hotel group that is most rooted in the local market.

• Investment Satisfaction: Leveraging optimal single-room construction costs and advanced cost-effectiveness, IHG’s international, professional teams provide full-cycle support, aiming to help investors optimise returns.

• Brand Confidence: As the world's largest single-brand hotel, Holiday Inn Express offers a mature and stable business growth model, earning trust from investors worldwide. The robust resources of the IHG Rewards Club loyalty program bolster this solid foundation for brand growth.

• Product Reassurance: Focused on a long-term vision, Holiday Inn Express emphasizes high quality, durability, and classic design. It also innovates on its design, breakfast offerings, shared spaces, and guest rooms to continually refresh its guest appeal. For owners, it provides personalized, customized services and efficient opening support, including an open procurement platform and integrated design and construction services.

• Operational Ease: By pioneering industry-leading owner-launch communication meetings, a full-cycle training system, and other platforms, Holiday Inn Express offers comprehensive training and support for owners and operation teams. Additionally, a dedicated performance expert and system platform are established for each owner, ensuring hotels operate efficiently post-opening and can easily navigate market challenges. The industry-leading marketing system ensures effective brand communication, a continuous influx of guests, and a solid foundation for stable performance.

From left: Holiday Inn Express Beijing Downtown, Holiday Inn Express Hangzhou Airport

These five core advantages strengthen the brand's competitiveness on multiple fronts, providing owners and investors with comprehensive, hands-on support and refined professional services at each stage. Furthermore, the Holiday Inn Express franchise support teams ensure owners receive sustained and in-depth systemic support throughout the entire lifecycle of the hotel. This both enhances operational capabilities and accelerates brand growth. Together with the five pillars, Holiday Inn Express aims to work with owners to create boundless possibilities.

A Pioneering Brand and Industry Trendsetter

A brand born in the 90s, Holiday Inn Express has been present for a significant era of the hotel industry’s global development. As an energizing brand, it has evolved over the decades to demonstrate impressive staying power and development potential. Agilely responding to market changes, Holiday Inn Express has deeply rooted itself in China’s first- and second-tier cities while expanding into core hubs, like airports and high-speed railway stations. This growth strategy is opening up new avenues for growth, enhancing brand accessibility and market coverage.

The brand is also exploring broader emerging markets, generating momentum in untapped markets and niche destinations. The brand's fresh, focused, and reliable “Formula Blue” aims to bring smart stays to a broader audience of savvy travellers.

Kent Sun, Chief Development Officer of IHG Greater China says, “Well known as a ‘post-90s’ brand, Holiday Inn Express has honed its strengths, momentum, and responsible leadership. For nearly two decades in Greater China, it has shown remarkable development vitality and potential. From 1 to the 500th hotel, this milestone is the best proof of the brand's investment value and market appeal. Holiday Inn Express’ growth trajectory is not only a testament to IHG’s unwavering confidence in the future of the China market, but also a reflection of our consistent commitment to owners and customers.”

Powered by its strengths in the guest experience and owner support, Holiday Inn Express is a key player in China’s hospitality market, employing a tailored 'Franchise+' model. As the flagship for new signings in China, 80% of the new contract hotels for Holiday Inn Express follow the 'Franchise +' model. This not only provides owners management flexibility and autonomy but also, through IHG’s comprehensive support and resource advantages, to enhances investment security and increase potential returns. Its locally dedicated team provides full-cycle system support for hotels, strengthening owners' operational capabilities. This optimizes hotel products and services, ensuring sustained business growth and brand competitiveness. Furthermore, Holiday Inn Express focuses on transforming and upgrading existing market inventory while daring to explore and develop new industry frontiers. This reflects its flexible strategies, winning through intelligence.