InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced its upcoming debut into Varanasi by signing a franchise agreement with real-estate firm JHV Group for two new properties – Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn. Both the hotels will open by 2021.
The 300-key Crowne Plaza Varanasi will be situated in the commercial hub of the city. It will house meeting and banquet facilities for the business visitors of the holy city.
The 180-room Holiday Inn Varanasi in Sarnath will be situated close to the airport. This property will cater to Varanasi’s booming religious tourism.
“With these signings in Varanasi, we continue to be on track to having 150 hotels open or in our pipeline within the next 10-15 years,” says Sudeep Jain, IHG vice president, development, South West Asia.
IHG currently has 30 hotels in 14 cities, across brands including InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express, with a further 33 in the development pipeline.
Jazreen Deboo
