IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed a management agreement to develop a Holiday Inn Express hotel in the city of Ayodhya.
Scheduled to open by mid-2028, the signing aligns with IHG’s strategic focus on expanding its presence in high-growth markets in India, including key spiritual destinations that are attracting large volume of travellers.
With over 3,100 hotels worldwide, Holiday Inn Express is IHG’s largest and fastest-growing hotel brand. Renowned for its accessible, comfortable accommodations and streamlined services, the brand is a preferred choice for travellers seeking rest, recharge, and productivity. Once open, Holiday Inn Express Ayodhya will embody these core principles, catering to both spiritual, leisure and MICE travellers.
Ayodhya rose to prominence as India’s most visited tourist place in 2024, with over 110 million visitors in first half of 2024. Strategically located in close proximity to the airport and just minutes from both the main temple complex and the Railway Station, Holiday Inn Express Ayodhya will be easily accessible, making it an ideal choice for travellers. The hotel will feature 125 well-appointed rooms, an all-day dining, a fitness centre, business centre, parking space, laundry room and a spacious meeting room.
Commenting on the signing, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts said, “We are thrilled to announce the signing of Holiday Inn Express Ayodhya. Ayodhya has become one of India’s most preferred tourist destinations in 2024. With Holiday Inn Express Ayodhya’s strategic location, the hotel will benefit predominantly from spiritual tourism year-round. The hotel is poised to offer a unique stay experience, blending world class hospitality, comfort and convenience with an easy connection to the city’s spiritual heritage.”
He added, “This signing reaffirms our commitment to expand IHG’s presence in secondary markets, including those with significant cultural and religious appeal as the number of travellers to these markets continue to grow driving demand for quality accommodation.”
Abhishek Jain, Owner of the hotel, added: “We are delighted to partner with IHG Hotels & Resorts to introduce Holiday Inn Express to the holy city of Ayodhya. By combining our local expertise with IHG’s global standards, we aim to create a distinguished destination that will become a preferred choice for both domestic and international travellers. With a high visibility and strategic location, the hotel will set new standards of hospitality in Ayodhya.”
IHG® currently has 46 hotels operating across five brands in India, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts®, Crowne Plaza®, voco™ Hotels, Holiday Inn Resort® and Holiday Inn Express®, and a strong pipeline of 58 hotels due to open in the next 3-5 years.