In a recent story citing Lodging Econometrics, we noted that InterContinental Hotels Group had the largest pipeline in China of any global franchise company, with 215 hotels and 61,227 rooms—triple the numbers from late 2012.
Now, according to Lodging Econometrics, IHG is the kind of all Asia.
Its latest report says that IHG has the largest brand presence by both project and room count in the pipeline for countries outside of China. Currently, IHG has 122 hotels with 27,943 rooms planned for Asia.
IHG’s top two brands in the region are Holiday Inn with 48 hotels (11,742 rooms) and Holiday Inn Express with 40 hotels (8,753 rooms). These two brands represent 72 percent of all IHG pipeline projects in the region.
Looking to boost its appeal for local owners, IHG recently launched a new franchise model for its Holiday Inn Express brand in China called Franchise Plus. The new model, the company claims, was specifically tailored for the Chinese market and "provides owners with all of the benefits of operating a franchise model, but with additional benefits and features from IHG’s managed model."
In the Asia Pacific Pipeline outside of China, 851 Projects/176,869 Rooms are Under Construction, down 5% YOY by both projects and rooms.
— Lodging Econometrics (@LodgingEconomet) June 17, 2016
The Others
Marriott International is right behind IHG with 108 hotels (25,301 rooms) in the region, led by its select-service Courtyard brand with 28 hotels (6,234 rooms) planned. Starwood Hotels & Resorts is in third place with 92 hotels (19,966 rooms), led by its Sheraton brand (23 hotels, 5,285 rooms).