Holiday Inn Express Opens Doors in Ayodhya

Holiday Inn Express Joins IHG in Ayodhya

IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement to develop a Holiday Inn Express hotel in Ayodhya, set to open by mid-2028. This agreement is part of IHG’s strategy to expand its presence in high-growth markets in India, particularly in important spiritual destinations that draw significant numbers of travellers.

Holiday Inn Express is the largest and fastest-growing hotel brand under IHG, with over 3,100 locations worldwide. When it opens, Holiday Inn Express Ayodhya will prioritize these core values and cater to travellers from spiritual, leisure, and MICE (Meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions).

Ayodhya emerged as India’s most popular tourist destination in 2024, attracting over 110 million visitors in the first half of the year. The hotel will be strategically located near the airport and just minutes from the main temple complex and the railway station, ensuring easy accessibility for travellers. It will feature 125 rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, a fitness centre, a business centre, parking facilities, a laundry room, and a spacious meeting room.

Commenting on the signing, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director of South West Asia at IHG Hotels & Resorts, stated, “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 its strategic location, the hotel will primarily benefit from year-round spiritual tourism. It is poised to offer a unique stay experience, blending world-class hospitality, comfort, and convenience with easy access to the city’s spiritual heritage.”

He added, “This signing reaffirms our commitment to expanding IHG’s presence in secondary markets, including those with significant cultural and religious appeal, as the number of travellers to these markets continues to grow, driving demand for quality accommodation.”

The hotel owner, Abhishek Jain, expressed his enthusiasm by saying, “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 high visibility and a strategic location, the hotel will set new standards of hospitality in Ayodhya.”

IHG currently operates 46 hotels in India across five brands: Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza, voco Hotels, Holiday Inn Resort, and Holiday Inn Express. Additionally, IHG has a pipeline of 58 hotels set to open over the next 3 to 5 years.