Asmita Mukherjee | Hyderabad 
Vaibhav Jain, Regional General Manager at Holiday Inn Express (an IHG Hotel) for South West Asia, explains what sets the brand apart in the competitive hospitality industry. In a conversation with Asmita Mukherjee, he emphasizes Holiday Inn Express’s exceptional value, modern room designs, and business-oriented amenities specifically designed for solo travellers and professionals. Featuring premium bedding, free high-speed internet, and well-designed workspaces, the brand continues to stay competitive by offering guests a comfortable and hassle-free stay.
What are the key factors that set Holiday Inn Express apart from its competitors?
We believe that Holiday Inn Express stands out from its competitors due to its excellent value-for-money proposition, efficient room design, and smart amenities tailored to the needs of solo travelers and business professionals. Our brand is renowned for providing high-quality bedding, high-speed internet access, and comfortable workspaces, making it an ideal choice for those who prioritize functionality and convenience. Our service is all about delivering great service to Smart Travelers. By consistently offering a comfortable and efficient experience for guests, Holiday Inn Express hotels make guests’ missions easy no matter where they are in the world. For travelers on the go, Holiday Inn Express provides more where it matters most – a great night’s sleep with our Express Recharge program, focused service from genuine people, and the Express Start Breakfast included in the rate, all designed to help guests feel more than ready for their day. As the world’s largest hotel brand, Holiday Inn Express continues to evolve and has blazed a trail for the simple, smart travel experience for over 35 years. The loyalty program, IHG One Rewards, allows guests to earn and redeem points across a vast network of hotels worldwide. Our commitment to accessibility and inclusivity further distinguishes us, ensuring a welcoming and comfortable stay for all our guests. Additionally, our participation in IHG Business Edge provides small and medium-sized enterprises access to exclusive discounts and tools, enabling businesses to manage travel more effectively while benefiting from the IHG network.
Holiday Inn Express has established itself in several key business hubs. How did the brand choose these locations, and what factors do you consider to ensure they align with the needs of business travelers? Are there any specific regions or cities where you see significant growth potential for Holiday Inn Express?
Holiday Inn Express selects locations that are strategically positioned near business districts, airports, and major transport hubs, taking into account the proximity to corporate offices, conference centers, and popular tourist attractions to cater to the needs of business travelers. We also prioritise areas with high demand for accommodation and easy access to local amenities, ensuring convenience and comfort for our guests. In terms of growth, we see significant potential in emerging markets in India, where there is a growing demand for mid-scale hotel options. As the fastest-growing brand for IHG Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express aims to enable real, human connections for our guests by providing a simple, smart travel experience.
Holiday Inn Express is known for its business-friendly amenities. Can you elaborate on how these amenities are tailored to the needs of modern business travelers?
Our amenities are designed to cater to the needs of modern business travelers, who often require flexibility and convenience. Our guests experience a comfortable and peaceful ‘overnight recharge’ with every stay. Between the plush duvets, quality linens, a choice of firm or soft pillows, and blackout shades – our guests wake up ready to tackle the day. Holiday Inn Express is committed to delivering more where it matters most through a consistent experience, thoughtful design, and value-rich essentials. We offer all the essentials that make our guests’ stay away from home a pleasure – including free wi-fi, tea and coffee facilities, and multiple charging points to keep you connected (if you want). We stay ready for our guests by being attentive and observant – anticipating guest needs and taking action to ensure their needs are met. We offer a free hot, fresh breakfast with every stay! Geared to get our guests the best start in the morning with hot and cold breakfast options. The heart and soul of the hotel, the Express Café & Bar is an integrated lobby and food and beverage experience, providing café and bar-inspired meals “around the clock,” no matter the occasion. Whether it’s to eat, linger, work, or relax, there is always for our guests. In the market here we also offer fitness centers.
Can you share more about the partnerships and collaborations Holiday Inn Express has with local businesses and corporate clients? How do these partnerships benefit both parties?
Holiday Inn Express partners with local businesses and corporate clients to offer exclusive benefits and services to our guests. Through our special offerings, such as discounted rates, extended stays, and flexible booking options, we aim to provide exceptional value through our website holidayinnexpress.com. These partnerships not only strengthen customer loyalty but also drive revenue growth for both parties. We also encourage our guests to book directly through our website holidayinnexpress.com, where we offer the Best Price Guarantee, ensuring they receive the most competitive rates available.
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important for corporate clients. Could you provide an overview of Holiday Inn Express’s current sustainability initiatives?
At Holiday Inn Express, we have implemented several initiatives to reduce our environmental impact. As a part of IHG’s Green Engage System, all our hotels are currently at an average of Level 2, reflecting our commitment to responsible practices. This system enables us to measure and manage our energy, water, and waste usage efficiently, helping to minimize our environmental footprint. We have also eliminated single-use bathroom miniatures in partnership with Unilever, replacing them with bulk-size amenities to significantly reduce plastic waste. This change is part of our wider efforts to eliminate single-use plastics across our properties. Through IHG’s Journey to Tomorrow initiative, we are working towards long-term sustainability goals, which include reducing energy consumption and promoting responsible sourcing. To support these efforts, we use the Hotel Energy Reduction Tool to identify opportunities for energy savings and operational improvements. These initiatives demonstrate our ongoing commitment to creating a sustainable future for our guests, our communities, and the environment.
What are the biggest challenges you currently face in the hospitality industry, and how is Holiday Inn Express addressing them?
The hospitality industry faces several challenges, including fluctuating demand patterns, rising operating costs, and shifting consumer preferences. To address these challenges, we are focusing on implementing data-driven decision-making strategies, optimizing our operations to reduce costs, and investing in technology to enhance the guest experience. Another key focus for us is talent retention and attracting new talent. We understand that hospitality is not always seen as a preferred career path, and we are working to change this by offering a supportive work environment. By promoting a healthy work-life balance and ensuring our staff receive eight days off each month, we aim to make hospitality a more appealing and sustainable career choice.
What opportunities do you see for growth and expansion, especially in the context of post-pandemic recovery and the evolving needs of business travelers?
There are significant opportunities for Holiday Inn Express to expand by addressing the changing needs of business travelers who increasingly value flexibility and convenience. We plan to enhance our presence in key markets such as Kolkata & Greater Noida, while also exploring additional conversion opportunities in various locations across India. By aligning our expansion strategy with these evolving preferences, we can better meet the demands of today’s business travelers and strengthen our market position.
Are there any new employee engagement or training programs you have recently implemented or plan to introduce?
Holiday Inn Express, being a part of IHG Hotel & Resorts, has access to a diverse universe of employee engagement & training literature & programs. A few of them are IHG Skills Academy (a virtual learning platform, which is a global resource for hospitality for early career professionals), IHG Rise program (Designed to promote career progression, a 12-month program that also includes an opportunity to run a “Lean In Circle” in the hotel), Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives (DE&I) to drive gender balance and doubling under-represented groups across leadership roles. These programs aim to enhance employee engagement, foster a diverse and inclusive culture, and support career development.
