Global iconic brand opens 60th hotel in Greater China
Holiday Inn, one of the world’s most iconic brands, turns 60 this month. The brand celebrates worldwide across 96 countries, having grown to 3,375 hotels globally across the Holiday Inn brand family, which comprises Holiday Inn hotels, Holiday Inn Resorts, Holiday Inn Express and Holiday Inn Club Vacations.
What began as a roadside inn with the first hotel in Memphis, Tennessee in 1952 – when vacations were beyond the means of the average American family – is now one of the most recognized brands around the world with over 100 million guest nights a year spent at a Holiday Inn.
Alongside reliable and friendly service, Holiday Inn has a rich history of ‘firsts’ for being innovative and improving guest experiences. When launched it was the first hotel to introduce many things we take for granted today like TVs, in-room telephones, air conditioning, free ice, free parking, a full service restaurant and a pool, all at affordable prices. The spirit of innovation has continued with the launch of Holiday Inn Express – the fastest growing brand in the world, offering a convenient and comfortable experience for guests and at great value.
Using insight and guest feedback Holiday Inn has continued to evolve. It was the first hotel brand to allow kids to eat and stay for free; and the first to take online bookings.
In Asia, Holiday Inn was also the first international hotel brand to enter China. And today the brand celebrates another first on its 60th anniversary, with the opening of its 60th hotel in China – Holiday Inn Changbaishan Resort, the first Holiday Inn ski resort in China.
Offering a brand new holiday experience for travelers, the 603-room Holiday Inn Resort Changbaishan and Holiday Inn Changbaishan Suites are nestled in the picturesque Changbai Mountains. With a variety of activities on offer, including hiking, climbing, swimming and skiing, the resort provides an unforgettable experience for both thrill seekers and those looking for a relaxing getaway.
With the launch at Changbaishan, Holiday Inn has become the first international brand to reach the 60-hotel mark in China, further enhancing its presence in Asia.
Closer to home, Holiday Inn first established its presence in Singapore with the Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre in 1985, one of two Holiday Inns in the city. The brand’s presence in South East Asia has grown to 19 hotels with over 6,500 rooms across Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Thailand is the biggest market for Holiday Inn, with 8 hotels spread across the country in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya and resort locations like Phuket, Phi Phi and Hua Hin. The first Holiday Inn Resort to open in Asia was the Holiday Inn Phuket Patong Beach in 1987.
In June, the brand family introduced the first Holiday Inn Express to South East Asia, with launch of Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam.
And rapid growth is expected to continue in South East Asia in next few years, with 22 new hotels in the pipeline for the region, including 12 Holiday Inn Express hotels across 4 countries expected in the next two years.
“Our 60th Anniversary is a global celebration of firsts for Holiday Inn and we’re excited about sharing this innovative heritage with our guests,” said Alan Watts, Vice President of Operations, South East Asia.
“At Holiday Inn we’ve celebrated many firsts through the years – from the first hotel to let children stay and eat for free, to our 1 billion dollar global refresh, to being ranked first choice with families on vacation in the inaugural Asia Pacific Family Travel survey by Turner Media Solutions this year.
“Every three seconds, someone somewhere in the world is checking into a Holiday Inn and every year over 100 million guest nights are spent in a Holiday Inn. That says a lot about being the hotel of choice for travelers around the world.”
For more information on Holiday Inn, visit www.holidayinn.com
