IHG Hotels & Resorts strengthens South India Presence with signing of Holiday Inn Express & Suites Madurai

India, 24 February 2026: IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the signing of a management agreement with Chentoor Hotels Pvt Ltd for the development of Holiday Inn Express & Suites Madurai. Scheduled to open in early 2029, the upcoming development marks a significant addition to IHG’s growing portfolio in South India, and reinforces the company’s strategic expansion in high-potential secondary markets across the country.

Located near Madurai International Airport, the 150-key hotel, including 30 suites, is ideally positioned to serve the city's dynamic visitor mix. Madurai welcomed over 27 million visitors in 2024, underpinned by its status as a major pilgrimage destination and home to the iconic Meenakshi Amman Temple. The city’s role as the nearest airport gateway to key regional attractions such as Rameswaram and Kanyakumari is amplified by rapid commercial and infrastructural growth, where emerging IT/ITES hubs and large-scale industrial projects increasingly attract business travelers to the city.

As one of IHG’s largest and fastest-growing brands, with over 3,200 hotels globally, Holiday Inn Express delivers modern, efficient hospitality designed for today’s traveler. With its Generation 5 design, the brand focuses on smart, flexible spaces and consistent comfort, making it an ideal fit for markets like Madurai that serve both business and leisure segments.

Commenting on the announcement, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are delighted to strengthen our footprint in Tamil Nadu with the signing of Holiday Inn Express & Suites Madurai. Madurai is not only one of India’s most culturally iconic cities but also a rapidly expanding economic centre with strong year-round business, transit and leisure demand. With its proximity to the international airport and emerging commercial clusters, the hotel is well-positioned to serve a diverse guest base. This signing aligns with our strategy to expand in high-growth micro-markets across India, and we are pleased to partner with Chentoor Hotels Pvt Ltd to bring this project to life.”

A spokesperson from Chentoor Hotels Pvt Ltd, added: “We are proud to collaborate with IHG Hotels & Resorts to introduce Holiday Inn Express & Suites to Madurai. The city is experiencing strong infrastructural and economic momentum, and this project reflects our commitment to developing high-quality hospitality assets in high-potential markets. Backed by IHG’s global reputation, strong brand systems and proven operating excellence, we are confident that the hotel will deliver an elevated guest experience and become a preferred choice for travellers visiting Madurai.”

IHG® currently has 51 hotels operating across six brands in India, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts®, Crowne Plaza®, voco™ Hotels, Holiday Inn Resort® and Holiday Inn Express®, and a strong pipeline of 89 hotels due to open in the next 3-5 years.