Worldwide: InterContinental expands jet lag support for all guests - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

InterContinental is extending its worldwide partnership with Timeshifter, giving every guest access to personalised technology designed to reduce the effects of jet lag. The service is now available across 242 InterContinental hotels and resorts in almost 70 countries and can be used for both the outbound and return journeys associated with each stay.

The initiative forms part of InterContinental’s broader approach to restorative travel, combining circadian science with changes to dining and other elements of the hotel experience. Guests receive recommendations based on their individual journey rather than a standard set of rules for dealing with long-distance travel.

Personalised plans based on circadian rhythms

Timeshifter develops individual jet lag plans using information including the traveller’s itinerary, chronotype, normal sleeping pattern and personal preferences. The app then recommends when users should sleep or remain awake, seek or avoid light and consume caffeine.

The underlying approach focuses on adjusting the body’s central circadian clock to the new time zone. Timeshifter says versions of its technology are also used in high-performance environments by astronauts, Olympic athletes, Formula 1 teams, NBA players and national football teams.

“Our partnership with Timeshifter is about putting the right technology in the hands of our guests so they can seamlessly shift through their day-to-day,” says Tom Rowntree, Vice President of Luxury & Lifestyle Brands at IHG Hotels & Resorts.

“By harnessing the power of cutting-edge solutions like Timeshifter, we’re not only addressing the common challenges faced by travellers but also redefining the entire guest experience.”

Jet lag begins with the body’s internal clock

Crossing several time zones rapidly leaves the body’s internal rhythms out of sync with local time, resulting in symptoms such as disrupted sleep and daytime fatigue.

“We have known for decades that circadian clocks govern nearly every function in the human body, from sleep and alertness to metabolism and immune function,” says Mickey Beyer-Clausen, Co-Founder and CEO of Timeshifter. “When we travel across multiple time zones, our circadian clocks can’t keep up.”

According to Beyer-Clausen, adapting more rapidly requires resetting the central circadian clock in the brain. The app is designed to translate that scientific principle into practical recommendations travellers can follow before, during and after their journey.

Food becomes part of the restorative travel concept

InterContinental is complementing the digital service with dining options intended to address some of the physical effects associated with travel. Its Flexible Dining menus at properties around the world include Nourish Bowls and Anytime Plates developed around ingredients selected to support energy and hydration.

Examples include egg-based dishes rich in vitamin B12 as well as foods chosen for their hydration benefits. Green leafy vegetables provide magnesium, another nutrient highlighted in the programme.

The concept is intended to give travellers options throughout the day rather than tying meals exclusively to conventional dining times, particularly when their internal clock may still be operating on the time zone they have left behind.

Free access with every InterContinental booking

Every InterContinental guest receives complimentary access to one Timeshifter jet lag plan per booking, covering both the inbound and outbound journeys. Access is provided through a QR code made available at different stages before and during the hotel stay.

The expanded partnership comes as InterContinental celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2026. Founded in 1946 by Pan American Airways founder Juan Trippe, the brand is using the anniversary year to further develop its approach to the needs of international travellers, with managing the physical effects of crossing time zones becoming part of the guest experience.

Image Credit: © AI generated illustration with elements courtesy of IHG