IHG Hotels & Resorts expands footprint in Nepal with a new Holiday Inn Express and Suites signing in Kathmandu

The company continues to drive growth in South West Asia (SWA) through its mainstream portfolio 

New Delhi, August 2021:  Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed a management agreement with DMR APA Joint Venture to develop a new Hotel - Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kathmandu Rabi Bhawan in Nepal. The brownfield hotel with 100 keys is expected to open by the first quarter of 2024. 

With eight of the ten highest mountains in the world, Nepal is a hotspot destination for mountaineers, rock climbers and adventure seekers. Additionally, the Hindu and Buddhist heritage of the country and its pleasant weather are strong attractions for tourists to visit Nepal. With the signing of Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kathmandu Rabi Bhawan, IHG will have 6 hotels in the pipeline in the country, across its mainstream brands -  Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express, and will be well-positioned in the coming years to cater to the demands of the travelers visiting the destination. 

Holiday Inn Express is one of IHG’s fastest-growing hotel brands - a first choice for the increasing number of travelers who need a simple, engaging place to rest, recharge and get a little work done. The newly signed hotel in Nepal will feature modern guest rooms, equipped with all the necessities for a great stay experience. The hotel will also feature a ‘Great Room’, a bar and a lounge for guests to rejuvenate and unwind. Other facilities will include a fitness room, meeting rooms and signature amenities to reflect the brand’s promise of a comfortable and pleasant experience.

Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kathmandu Rabi Bhawan will be strategically located in Rabi Bhawan Kathmandu, near Soaltee Mode or Tahachal, and in proximity to ring road. The hotel will also benefit from proximity to Tribhuvan International Airport, and a 30-minute drive to the central business district and shopping area at Darbar Marg.  Additionally, several embassies, private businesses and tourist attractions of Thamel will be easily accessible to the guest staying at the hotel. Therefore, Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kathmandu Rabi Bhawan will cater to both leisure and business travelers. 

Commenting on the new development, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are thrilled to further expand our footprint in Nepal with the signing of our new hotel in Kathmandu. Nepal is a hotspot tourist destination in the region with growing popularity amongst travelers with different needs . With the airport being refurbished as well as rapid development of branded hotels, Kathmandu is expected to become a global tourism destination and the tourism sector in the country will consequently witness a healthy growth in the coming years. We, therefore, see a significant growth opportunity in the country. The new signing is also in line with our strategy to grow our ‘essentials collection’ across key markets in SWA.

He added: India is the single biggest source market for Kathmandu, where IHG has a strong and growing presence. Additionally, the fastest growing source market for country is China, where IHG is the largest international player. Across both markets, the Holiday Inn Express brand has a good presence and recall which will benefit our growing brand portfolio in Nepal.” 

Mr. Chiranjibi Thapa, Chairman, DMR APA Joint Venture added, “We are excited to partner with an internationally known and trusted hospitality brand like IHG for our very first hospitality venture. Moreover, Holiday Inn Express is a well-established brand, globally and has a strong base of loyal customer across markets. The brand is also a great fit for a city like Katmandu with a number of travelers looking for simple and smart stays. With an excellent location, IHG’s impressive experience and expertise in the region, we are confident that Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kathmandu Rabi Bhawan will emerge as a hotel of choice for travellers visiting Nepal.”

IHG® currently has 41 hotels operating across five brands in SWA, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts®, Crowne Plaza®, Holiday Inn® , Holiday Inn Resort® and Holiday Inn Express®, and a strong pipeline of 50 hotels due to open in the next 2-3 years. 

Numbers as of June 30th, 2021.