IHG plans Holiday Inn Resort near India's Gir National Park - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with Paix Hospitality LLP to develop a Holiday Inn Resort in Sasan Gir, Gujarat, one of India's leading wildlife tourism destinations. Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2031, the property will feature 92 rooms and suites, extensive dining facilities and dedicated spaces for weddings and events. The development marks another step in IHG's expansion beyond India's major metropolitan and established business travel markets.

Sasan Gir, in Gujarat's Gir Somnath district, is internationally recognised as the gateway to Gir National Park and the surrounding protected landscapes, home to the Asiatic lion. The region attracts wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and domestic holidaymakers interested in nature-based experiences. The planned resort is intended to accommodate both leisure visitors exploring the region and guests attending weddings, celebrations and other events.

The signing reflects growing hotel industry interest in Indian destinations where wildlife, cultural heritage and experiential travel are important drivers of demand. While the new resort will not open for several years, its development highlights the potential for internationally branded accommodation in areas traditionally associated with independent hotels, safari lodges and smaller leisure properties.

A new resort for Gujarat's wildlife tourism market

Holiday Inn Resort Sasan Gir will offer 92 guest rooms, including 11 suites. The planned facilities include five restaurants and other food and beverage outlets, a swimming pool, fitness centre, spa and retail spaces.

A substantial part of the development will be dedicated to meetings and celebrations. The resort is planned to provide 1,366 square metres of event space across four venues, including a ballroom measuring approximately 1,170 square metres.

This combination of leisure accommodation and event facilities reflects the importance of weddings and social celebrations in India's domestic hospitality market. It also allows the property to target different visitor segments rather than relying exclusively on wildlife tourism.

For international travellers, the main attraction of Sasan Gir remains its proximity to the protected landscapes associated with the Asiatic lion. The species is one of the world's rarest large cats, and the Gir region is its only remaining natural habitat.

Wildlife excursions in the area offer opportunities to experience the forests and dry landscapes of western India, although sightings depend on natural conditions and access to protected areas is subject to local regulations.

The proposed Holiday Inn Resort could provide another accommodation option for visitors incorporating Gir into wider itineraries through Gujarat, including cultural destinations and other nature reserves.

IHG expands beyond India's major cities

The agreement with Paix Hospitality LLP forms part of IHG's strategy to introduce internationally recognised hotel brands into destinations with growing leisure demand.

Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said the development would extend the group's presence into a distinctive tourism market.

“We believe the destination’s natural appeal, combined with the growing interest in experiential travel, makes it a compelling addition to our expansion plans.”

The Holiday Inn Resort brand is designed for leisure destinations, combining accommodation with recreational facilities and services for families and groups. In Sasan Gir, the concept will also include a strong focus on the domestic wedding and events market.

For Paix Hospitality LLP, the project represents an entry into the hospitality sector through a partnership with an established international operator.

Kuldipsinh Ghoghubha Jadeja of Paix Hospitality LLP said the development was intended to respond to the destination's changing tourism potential by combining accommodation, dining and facilities for social gatherings.

The property will operate under the Holiday Inn Resort brand, supported by IHG's international distribution systems and IHG One Rewards loyalty programme.

Wildlife destinations attract hotel investment

India's tourism industry is increasingly attracting hotel development outside its largest cities, particularly in destinations associated with nature, cultural heritage and domestic leisure travel.

Sasan Gir offers a distinctive proposition because of its association with Asiatic lion conservation. The region's international recognition provides a basis for specialist wildlife itineraries, while domestic demand creates opportunities for resorts serving families, celebrations and short leisure breaks.

The planned development also illustrates how international hotel operators are adapting their portfolios to destinations where demand extends beyond conventional business travel.

IHG currently operates 53 hotels across seven brands in India, including Six Senses, InterContinental, Vignette Collection, Crowne Plaza, voco, Holiday Inn Resort and Holiday Inn Express.

The group has a development pipeline of 110 additional hotels expected to open over the next three to five years, according to its November 2026 announcement.

Holiday Inn Resort Sasan Gir is scheduled to welcome its first guests in early 2031. Its future contribution to the region's tourism market will depend on the development of visitor demand, local infrastructure and the continued appeal of Gujarat's wildlife attractions.

For tour operators specialising in India, the project represents a potential future accommodation option in a destination that offers a different travel experience from the country's better-known cultural circuits and beach resorts.

Image Credit: © IHG