China: IHG launches early booking offer as holiday travel patterns shift - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

IHG Hotels & Resorts has launched an early booking promotion across Greater China ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday period. IHG One Rewards members can receive discounts of up to 24 percent at participating hotels when booking at least 14 days in advance.

The hotel group is using the promotion to address changing domestic travel patterns. According to IHG, travellers are booking earlier while spreading their trips across a broader range of destinations. Longer stays, short breaks within easy reach of major population centres and less established leisure destinations are emerging as three important trends for the upcoming holiday period.

Longer stays create demand beyond major cities

IHG is seeing growing interest in longer trips that allow travellers to spend more time exploring individual regions. Western Sichuan is among the areas benefiting from this trend, with its mountain landscapes, alpine lakes and distinctive local culture attracting travellers seeking more immersive experiences.

IHG is represented in the region by properties including Holiday Inn Express Litang, Holiday Inn Express Daocheng Yading and Holiday Inn Batang. Their locations provide access to destinations that are increasingly being considered as alternatives to conventional urban holidays.

The development reflects a broader diversification of domestic tourism demand, with travellers looking beyond short sightseeing trips and spending more time in destinations offering nature and outdoor experiences.

Short breaks remain an important market

At the same time, easily accessible destinations continue to benefit from demand for shorter holidays. IHG identifies Huzhou, Ningbo, Suzhou, Wuxi and Nanjing among the destinations attracting families and groups of friends looking for convenient leisure breaks.

The group has properties from several brands in these markets, including Crowne Plaza Huzhou, Holiday Inn Resort Ningbo Ninghai, Hotel Indigo Suzhou Yangcheng Lake, InterContinental Wuxi Taihu New City and voco Nanjing Garden Expo.

Good transport connections and the possibility of combining accommodation with leisure activities make these destinations particularly suitable for shorter trips during busy holiday periods.

Emerging destinations gain attention

IHG also reports increasing interest in destinations outside China's established city-break markets. Coastal stays, mountain holidays, hiking and cultural experiences are contributing to demand in places such as Qinhuangdao, Chongli, Wugong Mountain, Wushan and Luoyang.

The group's portfolio in these destinations includes Resea Hotel Beidaihe, Vignette Collection, EVEN Hotel Chongli, voco Wugong Mountain Jiangxi, HUALUXE Chongqing Wushan and Holiday Inn Express Luoyang Nanchang Road.

The trend gives international hotel groups opportunities to capture demand beyond China's largest metropolitan and traditional tourism centres while supporting the development of secondary destinations.

Up to 24 percent discount for early bookings

IHG's early bird offer applies to participating hotels across Greater China and requires reservations to be made at least 14 days before the stay. IHG One Rewards members can receive discounts of up to 24 percent.

With 14 brands represented across Greater China, IHG is combining the promotion with its broad regional portfolio. The strategy allows the group to address different travel patterns ranging from short regional escapes to longer holidays in more remote destinations while encouraging customers to commit to their accommodation earlier.

Image Credit: © AI generated illustration using material courtesy of iHG