InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed a management agreement to open the Crowne Plaza brand in the historic city of Lucknow in India. The 110-room property is likely to open in late 2024.
As said by Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG, “Lucknow is emerging as a key destination for both corporate and leisure travellers with its excellent transport connections and an expanding business and tourism landscape. Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts is one of IHG’s most established brands in India and is an excellent fit for the market. We very much look forward to opening Crowne Plaza Lucknow Sultanpur Road in late 2024 and welcoming guests visiting the city.”
“We are announcing this signing at a time when India’s hospitality industry is facing the biggest challenge in its history following the global outbreak of Covid-19,” he further added.
The hotel is going to offer a range of food and beverage options with an all-day dining restaurant, a bar and a club lounge as well as large meeting and banqueting space of approx. 19,000 sq. ft., making it an ideal choice for weddings as well as meetings, conferences and exhibitions. It will also have a gymnasium and an outdoor pool to offer guests more opportunities to enjoy their downtime.
The hotel will be directly accessible from the Lucknow-Sultanpur road as well as the new cricket stadium. It is located approximately 11 kms from the city centre (Hazratganj) and 15 kms from Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport and is close to the area being promoted by the government as a prospective IT hub.
Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, India, Middle East and Africa, IHG added: We are pleased to be bringing our international brand, Crowne Plaza to Lucknow. The tourism landscape in the city has grown over the years, and we are confident that it will continue to evolve in the mid-long term as Lucknow becomes an attractive destination for travellers looking to experience the city’s rich culture and history as well as new modern developments. we are confident that upon opening, our hotel will be a top choice amongst the travellers visiting the city or locals looking venues for various celebrations.”
The signing underscores confidence in the industry in spite of challenging times. In India, the sector is mainly driven by the domestic travel, which is expected to recover first once the crisis is behind us and it is safe to travel again. IHG has 36 hotels in India and 45 in the pipeline.
