IHG Hotels & Resorts has entered a franchise agreement with KGA International Trades to establish a new Holiday Inn Express property in Kerala, India.
The new development is scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2027.
It will be part of the new KGA Mall, a mixed-use development in Changanassery, a municipality in the district of Kottayam.
The new property will offer 90 rooms, diverse food and beverage options, and a banquet hall capable of hosting more than 100 guests.
It will also feature a swimming pool, a multiplex, a family entertainment centre, and various retail offerings.
Positioned near the central business district, the hotel is close to the towns of Alleppey, Kochi, Pathanamthitta, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram.
The upcoming Holiday Inn Express is said to underscore IHG's strategy to grow its footprint in “high-potential secondary markets” in the country via strategic collaborations.
IHG Hotels & Resorts South West Asia managing director Sudeep Jain said: “This hotel will bring international brand standards to a high-potential micro market in Kerala that is currently underserved by quality hospitality offerings.
“This also marks our second collaboration with KGA Group, following the successful partnership for Crowne Plaza Kochi. Such long-term partnerships are built on shared values and trust, and we are pleased to strengthen our relationship with this signing.”
The Holiday Inn Express portfolio has more than 3,200 hotels worldwide and is known for providing “smart” accommodations for short-stay guests.
It offers “flexible” public spaces with the Generation 5 design concept.
Jain added: “Our goal is to deliver the consistent, reliable service and global standards that IHG is known for, while honouring the distinctive charm of Changanassery and addressing the growing demand for quality accommodation among corporate, transit, and leisure travellers.”
IHG's portfolio in India includes 50 hotels under six brands, with an additional 63 hotels slated to open in the next three to five years.
Earlier this month, IHG broadened its presence in the country with another franchise agreement for Garner Kutch in the state of Gujarat.
