Accelerating Growth of IHG Hotels and Resorts in Osaka and Kansai Region

IHG Hotels and Resorts Accelerates Growth in Osaka

IHG Hotels and Resorts, headquartered in the UK, is strategically expanding its hotel brands in Osaka as the city gains global attention ahead of the 2025 Expo.
With the Osaka portfolio experiencing remarkable growth over the past year, IHG now operates seven brands with 10 hotels and a total of 3,249 rooms in Osaka, surpassing its presence in Tokyo, which has seven hotels with 1,859 rooms. This achievement solidifies IHG's status as a leading foreign hotel operator in Osaka.

The rapid expansion includes notable new openings such as the luxurious and lifestyle brand "Vignette Collection" and three simultaneous debuts of the midscale conversion brand "Garna" at different locations within Osaka city. This highlights IHG's commitment to bringing a diverse array of offerings to the region.

The company first entered the Osaka market in 2008 with the opening of the "ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Osaka," alongside brands like the "InterContinental Hotel Osaka" and "Holiday Inn Osaka Namba." Following the pandemic in 2020, IHG doubled down on its growth in Osaka, launching four additional brands and seven hotels, a clear indication of the city’s significance in IHG's strategy.

Abhijit Sandeep, Managing Director of IHG Hotels & Resorts Japan & Micronesia, stated, "Osaka and the Kansai area are central to IHG's growth strategy across Japan. With its high appeal to domestic and international travelers, Osaka is the perfect destination for introducing new brands. We are thrilled to have successfully launched properties like 'Holiday Inn Express,' 'voco,' 'Vignette Collection,' and 'Garna.'"

Further plans for growth in the Kansai area include the slated opening of the 'Six Senses Kyoto' in 2024 and the 'Regent Kyoto,' an upper luxury brand, in 2028. This continuous investment demonstrates IHG's confidence in the region's tourism potential, especially during the upcoming Expo.

As it stands, approximately 20% of IHG's hotels in Japan are located in Osaka, making this an opportune time to capitalize on the city's rising international profile. The anticipated influx of visitors due to the Expo underscores the potential for each brand to see further growth.

Sandeep also noted, "Being a supporting partner for the UK Pavilion at the Expo provides a unique platform to elevate our brand recognition within the global hotel network of over 6,600 IHG hotels. Hosting numerous guests and dignitaries from around the world adds to our pride in our contributions to this monumental event. We are honored to serve esteemed guests, including Her Royal Highness Princess Akiko of Takamatsu and Foreign Minister Lisa Nandy at high-profile events like the UK National Day official dinner."

IHG, which has its UK headquarters in Windsor, is the second-largest foreign hotel company in Japan, celebrating its 60th anniversary in the country in 2024. The group operates 54 hotels across 10 brands domestically, with plans to open an additional 17 hotels in the near future.

IHG is recognized for its commitment to delivering "True Hospitality for Good," offering an extensive loyalty program, IHG One Rewards, which boasts over 145 million members globally. This underscores the brand's commitment to providing exceptional hospitality experiences to all guests.

The continued development and strategic positioning of IHG Hotels and Resorts align well with Japan's broader tourism growth, marking a new era for hospitality in Osaka and beyond. As excitement builds for the unveiling of new properties and the Expo itself, the future looks promising for IHG and its guests aiming to experience the best of Osaka's offerings.