IHG Hotels Pursues Expansion in India with Adani Airport Deal

IHG Hotels & Resorts is aggressively seeking to scale its footprint across India by expanding its newly formed alliance with Adani Airport Holdings Limited to develop multiple hospitality assets.

New Delhi: IHG Hotels & Resorts, following a recent five-hotel agreement with Adani Airport Holdings (AAHL), aims to scale the alliance by launching additional hospitality properties at transit nodes and commercial hubs, according to Sudeep Jain, Managing Director of Southwest Asia for the firm.

AAHL and IHG Hotels & Resorts finalized a managed portfolio contract last month to construct five hotels situated in major airport-adjacent and high-growth urban hubs across India. The collective inventory is projected to deliver approximately 1,500 keys, featuring a premium Kimpton property in Jaipur alongside Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express locations within upcoming, multi-use commercial districts spearheaded by Adani Airport cities. These properties are slated for development across Navi Mumbai, Mangaluru, and Thiruvananthapuram.

Jain noted a deep synchronization between the long-term objectives of both enterprises, emphasizing a shared reliance on the rapid infrastructure scaling occurring throughout the nation.

Also read: Adani’s Navi Mumbai and Guwahati airports named among Prix Versailles’ World’s Most Beautiful Airports 2026

The hospitality executive confirmed ongoing discussions to deepen the commercial relationship. AAHL commands a significant portfolio of aviation hubs with extensive real estate earmarked for hospitality developments. While Adani has publicly announced targets to develop 60 hotels, IHG intends to capture a substantial share of those future contracts beyond their initial five properties.

IHG currently maintains a strong operational footprint near major Indian aviation gateways, including Lucknow, Delhi, and Mumbai. Jain compared the long-term strategy to major global hubs like London Heathrow and Singapore Changi, where IHG brands maintain a dominant presence. The chain aims to enter the consideration set for land parcels opening around the upcoming Jewar airport, while evaluating demand across tier II, tier III, and tier IV regional markets.

The hospitality group currently operates 52 hotels across six distinct brands within India, supported by a robust pipeline of 98 properties scheduled to open over the next three to five years.

In addition to introducing the luxury Kimpton brand via the AAHL transaction, IHG is preparing to debut its premium Vignette Collection within the Indian domestic market.

Future Outlook

The partnership between IHG Hotels & Resorts and Adani Airport Holdings highlights a shifting trend toward integrated airport cities in India. As regional air traffic expands, major hubs are mutating into commercial ecosystems. This structural shift provides hospitality brands with guaranteed transit demand, transforming modern airports into self-contained economic zones driving long-term real estate and premium tourism growth.

FAQs

How many hotels are IHG and Adani currently developing?

The entities have signed a managed portfolio agreement to develop an initial set of five hotels, which will add nearly 1,500 rooms across critical urban and airport-aligned locations in India.

Which Indian cities will host the new IHG-Adani hotels?

The confirmed properties will be distributed across strategic hospitality-led developments in Jaipur, Navi Mumbai, Mangaluru, and Thiruvananthapuram.

What is Adani Airport Holdings’ total target for hotel developments?

Adani Airport Holdings has publicly stated an ambition to develop a total of 60 hotels across its expanding aviation and infrastructure network.

How many hotels does IHG Hotels & Resorts currently operate in India?

IHG operates 52 properties across six brands in India, with an active pipeline of 98 additional hotels set to open over the next three to five years.