Brand ambassador Xu Xin invites young movers to “Recharge & Restart” with Holiday Inn Express — Photo by IHG

Shanghai, China - Holiday Inn Express, IHG Hotels & Resorts’ upper midscale brand, is excited to announce table tennis world champion Xu Xin as its new brand ambassador. The brand’s refreshed proposition “Recharge & Restart” will provide active young movers who pursue excellence and efficiency with a more convenient and worry-free stay experience that enhances their travel quality.

Nowadays, young guests increasingly prioritize rich and diverse experiences on their travels. In the pursuit of efficiency and fulfilling moments, they often navigate tight schedules across multiple destinations to make the most of each journey. To address their needs for high-quality accommodations, Holiday Inn Express has launched its new brand proposition, “Recharge & Restart,” aimed at providing an energizing and seamless guest experience, with a focus on the essentials of stay, travel, eat, and rest, this innovative approach aligns with the multi-faceted aspects of young movers.

Holiday Inn Express provides guests with an energizing and seamless stay through fully upgraded products and services — Photo by IHGHoliday Inn Express provides guests with an energizing and seamless stay through fully upgraded products and services — Photo by IHG
Holiday Inn Express provides guests with an energizing and seamless stay through fully upgraded products and services — Photo by IHG

Holiday Inn Express, with its new brand proposition, aims to empower young movers with efficiency-boosting and energy-enhancing experiences. Guests are invited to recharge on their journeys through several special amenities including soft and firm pillow options with spinal-support mattresses for sleep comfort, one-touch screen casting, multi-function charging ports and ergonomic chairs for a high comfort, work friendly setup. Automated service robots deliver essentials directly to rooms. The laundry room and gym are in the same area to ensure both fitness and wardrobe management stay on track. From noodle bowls to coffee beans from Luckin Coffee, or crispy croissants to tempt the appetite, an iconic breakfast energizes guests as they start their days. Meanwhile, a special CGO notebook hand in by the chief guest officer which provides a list of delicious eats and fun activities to discover in and around the hotel, crafting a worry-free and comfortable stay no matter the destination.

After more than two decades of continuous development in the Greater China market, Holiday Inn Express has become a trusted choice for travelers. As the market continues to evolve, the brand remains committed to exploring innovation through improving its products and services while meeting the needs of young consumers. We are thrilled to partner with table tennis world champion Xu Xin. His talents and achievements extend far beyond the sport, embodying a life philosophy, determined spirit and persistence for excellence truly reflect the core values of Holiday Inn Express. We look forward to working with Xu Xin to energize each stay and continue providing guests with excellent services wherever they go. His involvement will also foster deeper engagement with young consumers and bring new vitality to our brand. Rita Jiang, Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer, IHG Greater China

Xu Xin has become a renowned “all-round artist” in the eyes of the public thanks to his exceptional skills, personal charm and wide influence off the court. His matches are not just competitive, but also full of surprises. Notably, his iconic backhand moves and behind-the-back this “effortlessly” play style, often catch opponents off guard. His flexibility and strength bring roaring excitement to every match. Xu Xin’s multi-faceted image complements Holiday Inn Express’s commitment to providing well-rounded experiences for each stay. In the latest launched brand video, Xu Xin invites guests to join him on a diverse experience.

Whether on the court or on the road, energy is vital to our journeys. Holiday Inn Express helps me start my day fully energized with its meticulous care and innovative experiences. When traveling to different cities, the rich breakfast buffet quickly replenishes my energy with authentic flavors while I’m busy. The hotel’s self-service laundry room keep my clothes fresh after each exercise, the nearby gym corner allows me to stay in peak condition while waiting for my laundry. With the comfortable guest rooms and their range of pillows, I can enjoy a restorative and high-quality sleep to recharged for the next day’s schedule. Holiday Inn Express covers all my needs throughout my travels, not only supporting my competitions but also adding convenience and comfort to my journey. I hope young movers can also ‘Recharge and Restart’ here to put their best foot forward on new Journey. Xu Xin, table tennis world champion and brand ambassador for Holiday Inn Express
Top left: Holiday Inn Express Qingdao Shibei - Bottom left to right: Holiday Inn Express Shanghai Jing'an Temple, Holiday Inn Express Beijing Zhongguancun Tech Park, Holiday Inn Express Guangzhou Panyu Dashi            — Source: IHGTop left: Holiday Inn Express Qingdao Shibei - Bottom left to right: Holiday Inn Express Shanghai Jing'an Temple, Holiday Inn Express Beijing Zhongguancun Tech Park, Holiday Inn Express Guangzhou Panyu Dashi            — Source: IHG
Top left: Holiday Inn Express Qingdao Shibei - Bottom left to right: Holiday Inn Express Shanghai Jing'an Temple, Holiday Inn Express Beijing Zhongguancun Tech Park, Holiday Inn Express Guangzhou Panyu Dashi — Source: IHG

Since its establishment in 1991, Holiday Inn Express has been a pioneer in the global upper midscale brand sector, with over 3,000 hotels worldwide. The brand entered the Greater China market in 2004 and has since expanded to more than 330 hotels nationwide, providing guests with a comfortable and efficient travel experience. The brand continually innovates its product design to stay ahead of market changes and consumer trends. As of September 30, 2024, there are 550 Holiday Inn Express hotels open and in the pipeline in Greater China. In the future, Holiday Inn Express, with the steadfast momentum of IHG Hotels & Resorts, will continue to enhance its products and services for passionate young movers.

About IHG®

IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.

With a family of 17 hotel brands and IHG Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,000 open hotels in more than 100 countries, and a further 1,800 in the development pipeline.

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Dora Zhang
IHG