IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) has signed an agreement with Gaw Capital Group division GCP Hospitality to add 14 hotels in Kyoto to its Japanese portfolio.
The portfolio encompasses 1,063 rooms in total.
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Under the agreement, 12 of the properties will join IHG’s midscale Garner brand, one will operate under the Holiday Inn Express flag, and one will remain unbranded.
IHG noted that all 14 sites will undergo refurbishment and rebranding to incorporate Garner and Holiday Inn Express brand standards, before reopening in phases over the next 12 months.
It added that the agreement represents “one of the largest conversion portfolio deals” in Japan’s hotel sector in recent years.
GCP Hospitality CEO Erwann Mahé said: “Building on GCP Hospitality’s successful track record in Japan, we are pleased to expand our partnership with IHG through this historic portfolio agreement.
“GCP Hospitality has been appointed to lead the management team across the 14-hotel portfolio, supported by IHG’s global scale, brand strength and distribution capabilities as we reposition the portfolio in one of Japan’s most important tourism markets.”
IHG said that the transaction supports the Japanese expansion of Garner, which debuted in the country last year across three locations in Osaka.
For Holiday Inn Express, the Kyoto signing marks the brand’s third location in Japan, joining existing sites in Osaka (Midosuji) and Sapporo (Susukino).
IHG Hotels & Resorts Japan and Micronesia managing director and IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan CEO Abhijay Sandilya said: “This is a true milestone signing for IHG in Japan with one of our long-term partners, GCP Hospitality.
“With this agreement, we are expanding our mainstream presence quickly in Japan, reflecting both the strength of our brands and the growing confidence of owners in our business and our strong in-market team.”
Earlier this month, IHG signed deals for five new properties in Taiwan and introduced a digital member platform in the market.
