IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a franchise agreement with KGA International Trades for the development of Holiday Inn Express Kottayam Changanassery in Kerala, India. Scheduled to open in 1Q2027, the agreement supports IHG’s plans to expand in secondary markets in India through local partnerships.
Holiday Inn Express, IHG’s largest hotel brand with more than 3,200 properties globally, targets short-stay travellers. The brand’s Generation 5 design concept focuses on flexible public areas and practical room layouts.
The hotel will be located in Changanassery, a town in Kerala’s Kottayam district. It will be part of KGA Mall, a mixed-use development currently under construction. The property will have 90 rooms, food and beverage outlets, a banquet hall for over 100 guests, a swimming pool, multiplex, family entertainment centre and a range of domestic and international retail tenants.
The hotel is near the CBD and is accessible from nearby towns including Kochi, Alleppey, Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. The Changanassery area draws demand from religious tourism, local trade and natural attractions.
Sudeep Jain, managing director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “This hotel will bring international brand standards to a high-potential micro market in Kerala that is currently underserved by quality hospitality offerings. This also marks our second collaboration with KGA Group, following the successful partnership for Crowne Plaza Kochi.”
“Our goal is to deliver the consistent, reliable service and global standards that IHG is known for, while honouring the distinctive charm of Changanassery and addressing the growing demand for quality accommodation among corporate, transit, leisure travellers.”
K C Eapen, director and CEO of KGA Group, added: “After the successful partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts for Crowne Plaza Kochi, we are pleased to join hands with them again for a new project in Changanassery. Development of Holiday Inn Express Kottayam Changanassery is part of our broader vision to bring modern infrastructure and business opportunities to the region. We believe the combination of the mall and the hotel will make it a key destination for both natives and travellers.”
