The company continues to drive growth in South West Asia (SWA) through its mainstream portfolio
Mice Affairs Media Group, News Bureau, 01 Sep 2021
IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed
a management agreement with DMR APA Joint Venture to develop a new Hotel -
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kathmandu Rabi Bhawan in Nepal. The brownfield
hotel with 100 keys is expected to open by the first quarter of 2024.
With eight of the ten highest mountains in the world,
Nepal is a hotspot destination for mountaineers, rock climbers and adventure
seekers. Additionally, the Hindu and Buddhist heritage of the country and its
pleasant weather are strong attractions for tourists to visit Nepal. With the
signing of Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kathmandu Rabi Bhawan, IHG will have
6 hotels in the pipeline in the country, across its mainstream brands -
Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express, and will be well-positioned in the coming
years to cater to the demands of the travellers visiting the destination.
Holiday Inn Express is one of IHG’s fastest-growing
hotel brands - a first choice for the increasing number of travelers who need a
simple, engaging place to rest, recharge and get a little work done. The newly
signed hotel in Nepal will feature modern guest rooms, equipped with all the
necessities for a great stay experience. The hotel will also feature a ‘Great Room’, a bar and a lounge for guests to rejuvenate and unwind.
Other facilities will include a fitness room, meeting rooms and signature
amenities to reflect the brand’s promise of a comfortable and pleasant
experience.
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kathmandu Rabi Bhawan
will be strategically located in Rabi Bhawan Kathmandu, near Soaltee Mode or
Tahachal, and proximity to ring road. The hotel will also benefit from
proximity to Tribhuvan International Airport, and a 30-minute drive to central
business district and shopping
area at Darbar Marg. Additionally,
several embassies, private businesses and tourist attractions of Thamel will be
easily accessible to the guest staying at the hotel. Therefore, Holiday Inn
Express and Suites Kathmandu Rabi Bhawan will cater to both leisure and
business travellers.
Commenting on the new development, Sudeep Jain,
Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are
thrilled to further expand our footprint in Nepal with the signing of our new
hotel in Kathmandu. Nepal is a hotspot tourism destination in the region with
growing popularity amongst travellers with different needs . With the airport
being refurbished as well as rapid development of branded hotels, Kathmandu is
expected to become a global tourism destination and the tourism sector in the country
will consequently witness a healthy growth in the coming years. We, therefore,
see a significant growth opportunity in the country. The new signing is also in
line with our strategy to grow our ‘essentials collection’ across key markets
in SWA.
He added: India is the single biggest source market
for Kathmandu, where IHG has a strong and growing presence. Additionally, the
fastest growing source market for country is China, where IHG is the largest
international player. Across both markets, the Holiday Inn Express brand has a
good presence and recall which will benefit our growing brand portfolio in
Nepal.”
Mr. Chiranjibi Thapa, Chairman, DMR APA Joint Venture added, “We are excited to partner with an internationally known and trusted
hospitality brand like IHG for our very first hospitality venture. Moreover,
Holiday Inn Express is a well-established brand, globally and has a strong base
of loyal customer across markets. The brand is also a great fit for a city like
Katmandu with a number of travelers looking for simple and smart stays. With an
excellent location, IHG’s impressive experience and expertise in the region, we
are confident that Holiday Inn
Express and Suites Kathmandu Rabi Bhawan will emerge as a hotel of choice for travellers
visiting Nepal.”
