NEWS
Holiday Inn celebrates 50 years in Greater China with next generation brand evolution
Marking a major milestone for Holiday Inn in Greater China, IHG Hotels & Resorts has closed a year of celebrations by unveiling a 50th-anniversary commemorative brand book and debuting a refreshed next-generation brand experience for the region. The move honours five decades of continuous presence while signalling a renewed focus on connection, warmth and contemporary travel expectations. From new design standards and service rituals to updated positioning, the evolution is intended to benefit guests, colleagues and owners alike. With more than 250 Holiday Inn hotels now open or in the pipeline across Greater China, the brand is using its golden jubilee as a springboard for its next phase of growth.
The story of Holiday Inn in Greater China dates back to 1975 with the opening of Holiday Inn Golden Mile Hong Kong, the company’s first property in the region and the foundation for its long-term development. Over the following decades, the brand became a familiar companion to business and leisure travellers, growing in step with the local hotel industry and broader economic transformation. To mark 50 years in the market, the brand spent 2025 rolling out a series of initiatives that revisited this shared history, including films inspired by real guest journeys, a themed exhibition tour across the country and interactive experiences designed to spotlight the brand’s approachable, smile-led personality. The anniversary year also saw the appointment of acclaimed actress Cecilia Yip as brand ambassador, reinforcing Holiday Inn’s emotional connection with multiple generations of Chinese travellers.
Central to the celebrations is the new Greater China 50th-Anniversary Commemorative Brand Book, which Holiday Inn has created as a tribute to the people behind its success. The publication brings together authentic stories and images from guests, team members and hotel owners, capturing personal memories from properties across the region. Rather than functioning as a traditional brand manual, it is conceived as a tangible record of companionship and everyday moments – from family trips and business milestones to long-standing staff careers. The book will be made available in Holiday Inn hotels throughout Greater China, giving staying guests an additional way to connect with the brand’s heritage and discover how its evolution has mirrored that of the destinations it serves.
Alongside the commemorative initiatives, IHG Hotels & Resorts has introduced a refreshed brand proposition for Holiday Inn in Greater China, centred on presenting what it describes as a brighter, more optimistic side of travel. This strategic shift is supported by the rollout of the Holiday Inn 3.0 product concept, which updates both the physical design and the guest journey. New uniforms and service rituals build on the brand’s long-standing emphasis on genuine warmth, while next-generation public spaces are designed to be more social, flexible and intuitive. The reimagined lobby lounge now functions as a multi-purpose hub where light dining, drinks and interactive zones sit side by side, encouraging guests to work, relax and connect in the same space.
Design plays a key role in expressing this evolution. The next-generation Holiday Inn aesthetic focuses on “connection” as its guiding principle, using layout, lighting and materials to create an uplifting yet familiar environment. A signature feature of the new concept is the Smile Wall, crafted from sustainable materials and infused with local cultural details to provide an instantly recognisable visual anchor for the brand. Guestrooms are being upgraded with clearer functional zones, smart room controls, height-adjustable work desks and family-friendly options such as double vanities and sofa beds, reflecting the needs of modern travellers who may combine business and leisure or travel in multi-generational groups.
For Daniel Aylmer, CEO of IHG Greater China, the latest evolution demonstrates how Holiday Inn is adapting to a more diverse and discerning customer base while remaining true to its approachable roots. The brand intends to use its strengthened positioning to deepen its presence in major cities, extend into emerging locations and engage new segments of guests across the region. Supported by IHG Hotels & Resorts’ broader portfolio and loyalty ecosystem, including IHG One Rewards, Holiday Inn in Greater China is positioning itself for another chapter of growth built on comfort, consistency and a more contemporary expression of its signature smile.
Source: IHG Hotels & Resorts
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