IHG Reveals Vision for Expansion on Diamond Anniversary

IHG Hotels & Resorts is celebrating 60 years since entering Japan, showing its commitment to further growth. The company's tradition in the country dates back to 1964, when it introduced its InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand. IHG is honouring a story of strategic expansion through local partnerships, delivering outstanding experiences to domestic and international guests in an expanding range of destinations.

Now, as IHG recognizes its achievements of the past 60 years, its focus is very much on the future.

STATEMENT

Abhijay Sandilya, CEO of IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan and Managing Director of IHG Hotels & Resorts Japan & Micronesia, said: “We are incredibly humbled and honoured to celebrate our 60^th anniversary in Japan, where we have been proud to deliver great experiences to guests since 1964. There have been many milestones along the way, which we have passed thanks to outstanding collaborations with our growing number of owners and other local partners.

“One of the landmark moments was our joint venture with ANA, Japan’s largest airline, in 2006, which combined the might of two industry powerhouses. Since then, we’re delighted to have seen our relationship develop, as together we’ve leveraged the power of local expertise, global enterprise and combined loyalty to grow brand awareness both within Japan and globally.

“As we look back on everything we have achieved, we’ll use what we have learned to power many more years of success in this beautiful country. As proud custodians of the ANA hospitality legacy, we honour the world-renowned Japanese Omotenashi, ensuring every guest experience is extraordinary.

“Today, we’re the second largest international hotel company in Japan, with close to 50 open hotels and 15 in the pipeline – and have big growth ambitions. We’re confident we’ll double our size over the next few years as we grow alongside the country’s travel and tourism industry. With a return of domestic travel and record international visitors to the market, we’re poised to support the government’s tourism growth ambition by using our local expertise and global scale to introduce new customers to new destinations, including those off the beaten path.

“With visitors looking for the perfect experiences to suit their reasons for travelling, we’ve been expanding our brand portfolio in suitable locations with the right brands. Since 2020, we’ve introduced five brands, including, this year, Six Senses. Before we close 2024, we’ll debut our midscale conversion brand Garner in Osaka with three hotels, closely followed by the Vignette Collection, and we’re preparing to debut Regent in the next three years.

“There’s so much more to come for IHG in Japan in 2025 and beyond. Our experienced in-market experts, supported by our regional and global teams, are writing a third chapter of our growth story in which we’ll work hand-in-hand with owners, partners and hotel teams to deliver IHG's world-famous True Hospitality for Good to guests across the country.”

A 60-Year Success Story: IHG in Japan

Chapter 1 (1964 -): The start of an extraordinary relationship

The history of IHG Hotels & Resorts (formerly known as InterContinental Hotels Group) in Japan dates back to 1964 – the year Tokyo hosted the Olympic Games for the first time. On 1 June, Hotel Okura (The Okura Tokyo), a 550-room icon of Japanese hospitality in the Toranomon district, established a business alliance with InterContinental. This entry of an international hotel group into the country – which had taken a great step forward as a developed nation after a successful rebirth from post-war reconstruction – was a landmark event indicating a very bright future.

In 1972, when Sapporo hosted the Winter Olympics, the Keio Plaza InterContinental Tokyo opened the highest hotel in Asia at the time. Fast-forward to 1991, and with the Yokohama International Peace Conference Centre (Pacifico Yokohama) completed, InterContinental Yokohama Grand opened its doors to guests attracted by its iconic sail design, which evokes water movement. It remains a prominent symbol of the Yokohama skyline today.

Chapter 2 (2006-): Landmark joint venture with ANA

In 2006, IHG established a landmark joint venture with ANA, Japan's largest airline, as IHG-ANA Hotels Group Japan. This expanded its business while maximising the scale of IHG One Rewards – one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, which has now reached 130 million members – and the ANA Mileage Club.

In 2007, IHG opened its first co-branded property with ANA, the domestic flagship ANA InterContinental Hotel Tokyo. Since then, IHG and ANA have rebranded the former ANA hotels, resulting in over 30 co-branded properties across Japan. These properties are located in cities such as Kushiro, Kanazawa, Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Matsuyama, and Ishigaki and operate under brands like ANA InterContinental, ANA Crowne Plaza, ANA Holiday Inn, and ANA Holiday Inn Resort.

IHG has expanded its presence in Japan with 47 open hotels (more than 14,000 rooms) and 15 properties in the pipeline (totalling over 2,500 rooms). Since 2020, the company has introduced five new brands (Hotel Indigo, Kimpton, Holiday Inn Express, Voco, and Six Senses) and opened 15 hotels. Additionally, IHG plans to launch three new brands (Vignette Collection, Garner, and Regent) in the coming years.

IHG has partnered with the Osaka Tourism Board, Rakuten, and JTB, strengthening its connections with cities across Japan. This has helped the company build a strong reputation that is growing along with its estate.

Earlier this year, the first-ever MICHELIN Key Hotels Japan guide awarded a Key to five luxury and lifestyle hotels. Congratulations to Six Senses Kyoto, ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & Spa, ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resort, InterContinental Yokohama Pier 8, and InterContinental Osaka.

Chapter 3: Building on 60 years of trust and experience, IHG enters a new stage

IHG’s 60-year success story in Japan results from its commitment to growth, collaboration and innovation, supported by the ability to maximise opportunities and navigate challenges. It has been prominent in Japan’s transformation into an international tourism destination.

IHG is committed to writing new chapters of its history in Japan over the next 60 years, working with its many valued local partners and guests to achieve even more growth and success. To celebrate its 60^th anniversary in Japan, IHG offers various accommodation and restaurant promotions at its hotels nationwide.