IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed an MOU with Rakuten Group's travel reservation service, Rakuten Travel, to offer an integrated booking experience.  

This collaboration aims to link their respective loyalty programmes, marking IHG's first MOU with a Japanese online travel agency. 

IHG and Rakuten Travel will engage in discussions focused on enhancing services and customer experiences for members of IHG One Rewards and Rakuten Points.  

According to IHG, this initiative reflects its commitment to providing added value for its loyalty programme members through global partnerships. 

Details of the specific initiatives resulting from this MoU will be disclosed in the upcoming period. 

This latest announcement comes after IHG Hotels & Resorts earlier this week announced signing a management agreement with Yuvaan Developers Private Limited to open Holiday Inn Guwahati in India’s north-east region. 

Slated to open in January 2028, the 150-key hotel will represent IHG’s foray into Guwahati, tapping into the increasing demand for branded accommodation in burgeoning destinations. 

During this week, IHG Hotels & Resorts also announced a host of global sports partnerships this year. 

Among the new partnerships are the Professional Pickleball Association in the US and Six Nations Rugby in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, complementing the continuing partnership with the United States Tennis Association. 

Towards the end of last month, IHG signed a franchise deal with Mogotel and Revelop for a voco-branded property in Kista, Sweden.  

Expected to open late this year, voco Stockholm Kista will mark the hotel company’s return to the Swedish market.