Shanghai—IHG Hotels & Resorts and Meituan Hotel have recently hosted a New Year’s Eve dialogue event themed “Unanticipated Journeys” at InterContinental Xiangyang. Xu Zhiyuan, writer and founder of OWSPACE, was invited to share his insights, inspiring young people to discover the new meaning and beauty of travel. The event addressed the growing demand among today’s young consumers for in-depth travel and emotional experiences. Representing InterContinental Hotels & Resorts’ “To Bring the World Together through Travel” vision, a luxury and lifestyle brand of IHG, this dialogue offered guests a fresh perspective on the world through the lens of unanticipated journeys.

Discovering the extraordinary through unanticipated journeys with InterContinental Hotels & Resorts

Travel is the perfect way to make time for oneself in an increasingly fast-paced world. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is dedicated to meeting the needs of consumers seeking a much-needed getaway. From InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun to InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, InterContinental Chongqing Raffles City, and InterContinental Xiangyang, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts leverages deep cultural insights of each destination, combining Insider Expertise, Incredible Occasions, Intentional Flexibility, and Inclusive for Everybody to guide guests through their journeys. During the New Year’s Eve dialogue, Xu Zhiyuan’s unique perspectives on travel, culture and personal exploration reflected the brand’s hallmarks, highlighting the profound and unexpected connections that can emerge between travelers and the world.

[Insider Expertise] As Xu Zhiyuan shared at the event, true discovery comes from immersing oneself in the rhythm and soul of a destination. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts invites guests to delve deeper into the heart of each city, explore its unique charm, and enjoy a restful stay wherever they go. InterContinental Xiangyang is a prime example of this philosophy. The hotel is situated on the bank of the Xiangyang moat, facing across the water to the ancient city, and integrates historical and cultural features with modern courtyard design to create a serene landscape garden within the city. The hotels’ dining options embrace the local intangible cultural heritage of exquisite cuisine, selecting a wide range of high-end local ingredients and blending Eastern and Western culinary techniques to create a one-of-a-kind dining experience and remarkable chef-curated menus. With nearby attractions such as Xiangyang Ancient City, China Town Xiangyang, and Longzhong Scenic Spot, guests are invited to explore the rich wonders of Xiangyang, enjoying “The Perfect Day”.

[Incredible Occasions] Travel allows individuals to craft their own stories, emotions and narratives through the integration of body, mind and culture. With each “incredible occasion”, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is committed to offering rich experiences, deeply rooted in its thorough understanding of the destination and inspired by its traditional culture. The New Year’s Eve dialogue, held at InterContinental Xiangyang, invited guests to delve deeper into the city’s captivating charm. The event also captured the essence of travel and culture, complimented by a blend of music, a warm and inviting atmosphere, and meticulously thoughtful service, creating the perfect setting for guests to bid farewell to the past and embrace the future.

[Intentional Flexibility] Recognizing the diverse travel needs of modern consumers, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts tailors its offerings to various customer groups, providing flexible products and services to meet their dynamic needs in different scenarios. For instance, guests can enjoy a flexible 24-hour menu and multiple facilities, or seamlessly switch afternoon tea locations at will – whether in the lobby lounge, restaurant, or courtyard – ensuring a fully personalized and enjoyable experience.

[Inclusive for Everybody] InterContinental Hotels & Resorts firmly believes in the power of travel to expand minds, dedicated to those who appreciate travel and the cultured state of mind it brings, the wonder of captivating places and fresh perspectives. The hotel places people at the heart of its mission, opening doors to a world of fascination, sharing knowledge and expertise to connect people to cultures everywhere. Each stay is a precious moment of cultural exploration and self-discovery.

At the conclusion of the New Year’s Eve dialogue, Xu Zhiyuan shared his thoughts on how an excellent hotel provides a reliable sense of certainty for travelers, giving them the freedom to embark on new adventures with confidence. I look forward to another 50 years, when IHG Hotels & Resorts celebrates its 100th anniversary of entering Greater China, and we will begin another New Year together!, Xu said.

2025 marks the 50th anniversary of IHG Hotels & Resorts entering Greater China. Its luxury and lifestyle brand InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has 90 opened and pipelined hotels across the region, offering extraordinary experiences to global guests by integrating local culture into every stay.

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.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 350,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.

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Dora Zhang
IHG