Tourexpi
IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, announces the back-to-back opening of two ANA Holiday Inn properties in Japan: ANA Holiday Inn Kobe Sanda, which welcomed its first guests on 27 April 2026, and ANA Holiday Inn Tosu, which opened on 28 April 2026. Both properties, operated by Select Hotels Group, mark a significant milestone for the Holiday Inn brand in Japan. Each becoming the first international full-service hotel in their respective cities, bringing Holiday Inn’s signature warm and welcoming service to Sanda City in Hyogo Prefecture and Tosu City in Saga Prefecture.
SANDA: WHERE NATURE MEETS WARM HOSPITALITY
Located within the hillside setting of Sanda, a city celebrated for the harmony of its natural surroundings and modern life, ANA Holiday Inn Kobe Sanda is just one minute’s walk from Woody Town Chuo Station on the Kobe Electric Railway, and less than ten minutes’ drive from the Kobe-Sanda Interchange. Positioned between Kobe and Osaka, the hotel is a natural base for business travellers and those exploring the broader Kansai region. The surrounding area offers genuine variety, from the Hokusettsu Sanda Technopark and Kobe Sanda Premium Outlet, to the riverside paths of the Hiratanigawa Greenway, where guests can experience the quiet beauty of the changing seasons.
The hotel features 130 guestrooms, from cosy doubles to spacious twin layouts and a distinctive Japanese-style room, featuring traditional tatami flooring and a low-set layout that offers a more locally inspired stay experience. At its heart, Holiday Inn’s open lobby layout creates a relaxed, flexible space where guests can work, dine, or unwind throughout the day.
Mr. Eiji Baba, General Manager of ANA Holiday Inn Kobe Sanda, said: “Sanda is a place where a deep connection with nature and the warmth of community life come together in a very special way. It is our privilege to bring the warm, genuine hospitality that defines Holiday Inn to this city, and we look forward to welcoming guests – whether here for business, leisure, or simply a moment of calm – and making them feel genuinely at home.”
TOSU: YOUR BASE FOR KYUSHU
ANA Holiday Inn Tosu opens at the crossroads of Kyushu, where the Kyushu, Nagasaki and Oita expressways converge at Tosu Junction. The hotel is five minutes by car from JR Tosu Station and approximately 40 minutes from Fukuoka Airport, offering seamless connectivity to destinations across the island. Beyond its strategic location, Tosu is a city rich in history and character: guests can explore the ancient Nagasaki Kaido post road, discover lush natural landscapes, or visit the Tosu Premium Outlet, all within easy reach.
Each of the hotel's 127 modern guestrooms and suites offer thoughtful design and amenities, with flexible configurations for families and solo travellers, including single, twin and suite options.
Mr. Hiroyuki Eguchi, General Manager of ANA Holiday Inn Tosu, said: “Opening as the first international full-service hotel in Tosu City is a true privilege, and one we are deeply committed to honouring. Tosu sits at the centre of Kyushu’s network of roads and railways, and we see ourselves not just as a hotel but as a warm point of arrival for everyone setting out to explore this remarkable island.”
Apple Road is the name of the signature restaurant at each hotel, a dining destination featuring a variety of freshly sourced local and international dishes for daily buffet breakfast, as well as space for guests to unwind for lunch and dinner. Meetings & Events capabilities are also on offer for guests and locals, with each hotel featuring six flexible spaces accommodating up to 250 guests.
True to the brand’s global promise, kids aged 12 and under enjoy the Kids Stay & Eat Free program, providing great value and reliability for travelling families.
Both hotels join Holiday Inn’s growing global portfolio, reinforcing IHG’s continued commitment to expanding one of the world’s most trusted and recognised brands across new destinations in Japan and the Asia Pacific region. Following the brand’s recent debut in Sapporo and Karuizawa, the openings continue Holiday Inn’s more than 70-year legacy of bringing the joy of travel to guests around the world.
Picture Credit: © InterContinental Hotels Group 2026
The most interesting news
Read the News

Seabourn Launches 138-Day World Cruise from Miami to Lisbon
Seabourn Quest will visit 58 destinations in 31 countries and territories on a 2029 voyage spanning more than 32,000 nautical miles across five continents
Read the News

Orascom Expands Tourism Investment Across Oman
Projects in Hawana Salalah, Jebel Sifah and As Sodah Island continue to advance, with new hotels planned and investment in the private-island development set to exceed $90 million
Read the News

‘We See Ourselves Not Just as a Hotel, but as Hosts on La Gomera’
Inspired by the island’s traditional terraced fields, Bancal Hotel & Spa combines architecture, local cuisine, wellness and nature. Director Olivier Doche explains how the hotel aims to make La Gomera itself an integral part of every stay
Read the News

Chile marks National Wine Day with more than 50 experiences
Wine regions across the country will offer tastings, vineyard tours, dinners, heritage experiences and urban events for National Wine Day on September 4
Read the News

Club Med launches biggest ski sale for 2026/27 winter season
Ski Days offers savings of up to $1,040 at participating French Alps resorts and Québec-Charlevoix, with bookings open until September 15
Read the News

Family travel: multigenerational holidays reshape resort stays
Bahia Principe is adapting its portfolio to growing demand from families seeking shared experiences across different generations
Read the News

Spain adds 7.4% more international air seats for September
Nearly 13.1 million seats are scheduled on international flights to Spain, with particularly strong growth from Poland, Turkey and Italy
Read the News

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Sarajevo Tourism Surges on Concerts and Film Festival
More than 100,000 tourists visited Sarajevo in July as major music and cultural events generated strong demand for hotels, restaurants and transport
Read the News

McDonald’s Türkiye highlights seven restaurants shaped by their locations
From Istanbul and Antalya to Bodrum and Göcek, seven distinctive restaurants combine familiar branding with architecture and design inspired by their surroundings
Read the News

Vietnam: Hyatt Regency Danang Expands MICE Experiences Beyond the Meeting Room
New sports and team-building activities complement event venues for up to 700 guests at the beachfront resort between Da Nang and Hoi An
Read the News

China: Fosun Returns to Profit Growth as Overseas Revenue Reaches 56.5%
First-half profit attributable to shareholders rises 160.3% to RMB1.72 billion as the group sharpens its focus on insurance, pharmaceuticals and global expansion
Read the News

ADIB, Marriott Bonvoy and Visa launch co-branded cards in UAE
New Visa Infinite and Signature cards combine everyday spending with Marriott Bonvoy rewards, hotel status and international travel benefits
Read the News

Helsinki Biennial returns in 2027 with art across the city
Around 45 artists and artist groups will transform Vallisaari Island, Esplanade Park and HAM Helsinki Art Museum from June to September
Read the News

Peru: Lima to host more than 500 airport industry leaders at WAGA 2026
The global ACI gathering will focus on connectivity, infrastructure investment, innovation, sustainability and the future development of airports
Read the News

USA: Delta opens flight attendant recruitment for 2027
The airline is accepting applications from English-speaking and bilingual candidates for upcoming training classes
Read the News

Asia: Four Seasons turns intimate celebrations into tailor-made journeys
From micro-weddings and anniversaries to family reunions and corporate retreats, Four Seasons resorts across Asia are expanding their focus on personalised small-group experiences
Read the News

Colombia: inventia adds Río Magdalena cruises to South America programme
Two eight-day itineraries between Cartagena and Barranquilla combine river landscapes with colonial heritage, wildlife and local culture
Read the News

Germany: When tourism becomes a question of identity
Günter Ihlau and Wolfgang Isenberg examine the AfD’s tourism policies and argue for travel as an expression of openness, diversity and individual judgement
Read the News

Germany: Thuringia hosts GNTB Travel Summit 2026
Around 60 international buyers from 14 European source markets will meet tourism suppliers in Erfurt from 20 to 23 September
Read the News

Fam Fest Latam Returns to Cancún for Its 12th Edition
From 2 to 6 September, leading Latin American travel agents and tour operators will gather at AVA Resort Cancun for training, awards and first-hand insights into the expanding PAM Hotels portfolio
Read the News

Emirates could add Lima service via Milan
The airline is reportedly seeking fifth-freedom rights for a Dubai–Milan–Lima route, potentially adding a new direct connection between Italy and Peru