IHG demonstrates its long-term vision at CIIE

In September, the group welcomed its 600th hotel in China — Kimpton Bamboo Grove Suzhou — only a year and half since the 500th milestone. It also marked the debut of the Kimpton brand in the Chinese mainland.

With more than 1,000 hotels opened or under construction, China has become IHG's fastest-growing and second-largest market worldwide, according to the company. "Our operations in China now cover about 10 percent of the group's global opening portfolio and over 25 percent of hotels in the pipeline," Aylmer added.

China's dual-circulation development paradigm, which takes the domestic market as the mainstay while the domestic and foreign markets complement each other, brought opportunities to hoteliers, according to Aylmer. "We have seen increasing demand for domestic leisure travel and consumers show a stronger preference for high-quality services and customized experiences in the post-epidemic era."

To better cater to savvy customers, IHG has diversified its product portfolio, improved digital operations and reinforced brand partnerships, Aylmer said.

The group's first heritage hotel in Asia — Intercontinental Shanghai Ruijin — launched a cultural event during this year's National Day holiday, which allowed guests to explore the historical building and learn its stories.

"Consumption upgrades were also conducive for our upper-midscale brands including Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express," he said.

IHG has been tapping into huge markets outside the first-tier cities, especially those in regions involved in China's major regional development strategies, such as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Hainan Free Trade Zone.

About 70 percent of its operational hotels and 85 percent of its hotels under construction are in second — to fourth-tier cities, according to IHG.