Holiday Inn Express Taps Chinese Celebrity and Upcoming Comedy Film to Spotlight “Recharge & Restart” Travel Ethos

Shanghai, 31 July 2026 — IHG Hotels & Resorts’ (IHG) fastest-growing Essentials brand, Holiday Inn Express, today announced popular Chinese actor Bai Ke as its brand ambassador and a collaboration with the forthcoming comedy film MAKE ZHONGHE GREAT AGAIN. The partnership marks a strategic push to deepen the brand’s connection with young movers by embedding its “Recharge & Restart” brand promise within culturally resonant entertainment.

“Today’s traveller is not just moving between cities; they are looking for stays that help them recharge, reset and continue their journeys with confidence. At Holiday Inn Express, we continue to evolve our guest experience around these changing needs, creating energizing and seamless stays.” said Rita Jiang, Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer, IHG Greater China. “We are excited to welcome Bai Ke as our brand ambassador and collaborate with MAKE ZHONGHE GREAT AGAIN. Bai Ke’s relatable screen presence and the film’s everyday humour allow us to talk about that need in a way that feels authentic, not transactional.”

Bridging Entertainment and Everyday Travel

For young movers, Bai Ke is a well-known Chinese screen actor whose on-screen persona centres on the everyman professional—authentic and reliably capable. His upcoming film, MAKE ZHONGHE GREAT AGAIN, is a workplace comedy that has already generated significant domestic buzz for its humorous yet grounded take on the pressures facing today’s urban workforce.

Holiday Inn Express sees a natural alignment as the film’s themes mirror the brand’s core guest proposition: balancing productivity with personal reset. By pairing with both the actor and the film, the brand gains a storytelling vehicle that feels native to its target audience, reflecting a shared understanding that travellers value both efficiency and opportunities to recharge.

Delivering thoughtful stays that help guests recharge

Holiday Inn Express continues to evolve its guest experience around the needs of young movers by providing comfortable guest rooms, nutritious breakfast offerings, efficient workspaces and smart technology solutions. The brand creates a seamless experience that helps guests recharge and stay productive throughout their journeys.

Beyond the stay experience, Holiday Inn Express continues to explore new ways to connect with young movers through creative storytelling and partnerships, creating more relevant and meaningful connections with today’s travellers.

Holiday Inn Express currently operates more than 400 hotels across Greater China, with a presence spanning a wide range of markets. Moving forward, the brand will continue to leverage IHG’s global expertise and local insights to evolve its guest experience and deliver meaningful stays for travellers.