IHG Hotels and Resorts signs Holiday Inn Mathura, tapping demand in a key spiritual tourism market

IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, has signed a management agreement with Embrassio Hotels & Resorts Private Limited, the hospitality arm of Vrindara Group, to develop Holiday Inn Mathura.

Deal Overview
- IHG® Hotels & Resorts signed a management agreement with Embrassio Hotels & Resorts Pvt. Ltd., part of Vrindara Group.
- Property: Holiday Inn Mathura, scheduled to open early 2030.
- Reinforces IHG’s strategy to expand in high‑potential spiritual tourism markets across India.

Location Significance
- Mathura is one of India’s oldest and most important religious centres.
- Rising demand for quality branded accommodation driven by spiritual tourism.

Hotel Features
- 115 rooms and suites.
- Three dining venues: all‑day restaurant, bar, lobby lounge.
- Five meeting/event spaces including a ballroom.
- Fitness centre and swimming pool.

IHG in India
- Currently operates 52 hotels across six brands (Six Senses, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, voco, Holiday Inn Resort, Holiday Inn Express).
- Strong pipeline of 98 hotels due to open in the next 3–5 years.

Leadership Comments
- Sudeep Jain (IHG South West Asia): Mathura’s spiritual significance and demand for trusted hospitality make it a compelling growth market.
- Krishna Kumar Sharma (Vrindara Group): Holiday Inn’s global recognition aligns well with Mathura’s growing visitor base.

This move shows how IHG is targeting religious and cultural hubs in India, not just metro cities, to capture the next wave of demand.