IHG Hotels & Resorts sponsors UK Pavilion at World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, is proud to announce its sponsorship of World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai and the UK Pavilion – a partnership that highlights its commitment to growth across Japan and Asia Pacific.
Osaka is set to welcome millions of domestic and international visitors between April and October as it hosts the global showcase of innovation, education, and co-operation for the second time. IHG is uniquely positioned to support the event with 10 hotels in the city and a growing presence of 50+ properties across 10 brands throughout the country.
As a Supporting Partner of the UK at Expo 2025, IHG aligns perfectly with the event’s vision of "Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” through its expertise in sustainable travel, digital transformation, and exceptional guest experiences. The agreement also underscores the company’s long-standing commitment to supporting Japan’s goal of increasing domestic tourism and attracting more than 40 million international visitors in 2025 thanks to its range of world-class brands and hotels that cater to the needs of all travellers.
Abhijay Sandilya, Managing Director – Japan & Micronesia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said "Japan has always been a key market for IHG, and our sponsorship of the UK Pavilion at World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai is a testament to our passion for growth and commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality in this dynamic region. Through it, we will showcase IHG’s leadership in hospitality while reinforcing the strong business and cultural ties between the UK and Japan."
Japan set a record for international visitor arrivals in 2024, welcoming 36.8m people to surpass its previous high of nearly 32m in 2019. IHG is the second largest global hotel company in the country, last year marking 60 years in Japan by celebrating its storied history and sharing plans for further growth.
As a global business headquartered in Windsor, England and one of the UK’s key business sponsors of the UK Pavilion at Expo 2025, IHG will partner with the UK Department for Business and Trade which leads the UK’s presence at the event. IHG’s sponsorship enhances the UK Pavilion’s ability to foster new collaborations, showcase British innovation, and drive economic growth.
Carolyn Davidson, Commissioner General for the UK at Expo 2025, said: "We are delighted to have IHG as a sponsor of the UK Pavilion, a brand that represents British excellence in the hospitality industry and a company with a significant presence in Japan. Working with IHG as a sponsor strengthens our ability to foster meaningful connections between UK and Japanese businesses, while highlighting the best of British hospitality and innovation to an international audience."
Japan is a key market for IHG’s continued global expansion and is at the centre of its growth plans for the Asia-Pacific region, where it passed the milestone of 1,000 open hotels last year.
LINK DIRECTLY TO SOURCE: IHG Hotels & Resorts sponsors UK Pavilion at World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai
IHG Hotels & Resorts opens first branded net zero carbon hotel in partnership with Zeal Hotels
IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has opened voco Zeal Exeter Science Park – IHG’s first branded net zero* carbon hotel, in partnership with Zeal Hotels and Valor Hospitality. It has been designed to operate entirely on renewable and solar energy.
As with all voco branded hotels, the 142-room voco Zeal Exeter Science Park has been designed to help guests truly unwind and feel at ease with the use of neutral tones and contemporary features throughout the guest rooms and public spaces. Guests staying at the hotel will have access to a mini gym, gardens, a versatile meeting space and 12 EV charging points. The hotel’s onsite restaurant and bar, ISCA, emphasises the use of locally-sourced ingredients, collaborating with regional farms and producers to offer fresh, responsible dining options.
The voco Zeal Exeter Science Park stands out with its sustainable design, which earned a BREAAM Outstanding rating, a renowned sustainable buildings certification. It is the first building in the UK that has utilised the Solarlab vertical photovoltaic panels as a rainscreen cladding system. It also follows the Passivhaus standard for ultra-low energy buildings and uses adiabatic cooling and heat reversible heat pumps to reduce energy usage.
In line with voco’s commitment to innovation and sustainability and a belief that small steps collectively make a big difference, voco Zeal Exeter Science Park was constructed using materials chosen for their sustainable characteristics and assembled innovatively to achieve best-in-class results. For example, they have used Ecocrete during construction, a low carbon concrete with up to 85% less CO2 than CEM1 (100% cement).
Joanna Kurowska, VP, Managing Director UK & Ireland at IHG Hotels & Resorts, commented: “With a growing number of travellers seeking responsible travel options, we are delighted to open voco Zeal Exeter Science Park. The hotel will bring a new sustainable hotel offer to our UK portfolio and build on our commitment to provide exceptional experiences for our guests.Together with Zeal Hotels, voco Zeal Exeter Science Park helps set the standards for net zero carbon hotels and marks a pivotal step towards a more sustainable future in hospitality, aligned with IHG’s Journey to Tomorrow responsible business plan. By inspiring both industry leaders and our guests, we are demonstrating how comfort and sustainability can successfully coexist, benefiting both the environment and the communities we serve.”
Tim Wheeldon, Founding Director, Zeal Hotels, commented:
“I am incredibly proud of the team behind the voco Zeal Exeter Science Park, who have worked hard to bring the Zeal Hotels vision to fruition. Our partnerships with IHG Hotels & Resorts and Valor Hospitality have been crucial throughout the development process and we are excited to launch this new sustainable hotel.It has been more than a decade since we founded Zeal Hotels, with the intention of helping the hotel sector be net zero carbon by 2050.“The decision to build our net zero hotel reflects our commitment to combating climate change and reducing our carbon footprint. By harnessing renewable energy sources, implementing energy-efficient designs, and utilising innovative technology, we have created a space that not only provides comfort and luxury but also prioritises environmental responsibility. We are looking forward to sharing our knowledge with others to help accelerate the net zero carbon process across the sector.”
Brian McCarthy, Managing Director, Valor Hospitality, said:
“Valor has been a successful partner with IHG for over 10 years in the UK. We are really pleased to be working with them on this first branded net zero carbon hotel. Thank you to Zeal Hotels who chose us as their management partner and gave us an opportunity to work on this cutting-edge project. This is another step in our aspiration to grow our business with great owners. voco Zeal Exeter Science Park is dedicated to supporting and forging links with its community, working closely with the Science Park and local students. The hotel aims to serve as a centre for knowledge, sharing insights on sustainable hotel construction and operations, and fostering a culture of learning.”
voco hotels is IHG's fastest growing premium brand, offering a hotel experience that is consistently thoughtful and distinct. Each property is characterised by its individual charm, providing guests with something different while also ensuring the reliability of a global brand. There are currently 29** voco hotels open across Europe with more than 20 due to open in the next three to five years.
LINK DIRECTLY TO SOURCE: IHG Hotels & Resorts opens first branded net zero carbon hotel in partnership with Zeal Hotels
IHG Academy Partners with Queen Rania Foundation and Edraak to Launch "Careers in Hospitality" MOOC for Jordan
IHG Academy, a world class hospitality education and training programme, is proud to announce its partnership with the Queen Rania Foundation (QRF) and Edraak, a pioneering massive open online course (MOOC) platform, to launch a new Arabic-language course titled "Careers in Hospitality." This initiative aims to provide aspiring hospitality professionals in Jordan with a comprehensive understanding of the diverse and dynamic world of hospitality careers.
The "Careers in Hospitality" course, available on the IHG Academy Skills Builder platform, is designed to cater to a wide range of learners, including aspiring hospitality professionals, current hospitality students, entry-level employees, career changers, and budding entrepreneurs. The course offers an in-depth exploration of various roles within hotels, restaurants, and events, while also focusing on the essential skills needed for success in the industry.
"We are thrilled to collaborate with the Queen Rania Foundation and Edraak to bring this valuable resource to the Jordanian community," said Rohan Wedge, Global Talent Manager – IHG Academy at IHG Hotels & Resorts. "This course not only highlights the exciting career opportunities within the hospitality sector but also equips learners with the knowledge and tools necessary to thrive in this ever-evolving industry."
The course content has been meticulously crafted to ensure relevance and accessibility for the Jordanian audience. Participants will gain insights into the hospitality industry, learn about different career paths, and develop critical skills such as customer service, communication, and problem-solving. Additionally, the course will provide guidance on entrepreneurship and responsible practices for those looking to start their own hospitality ventures.
"We believe that education is a powerful tool for empowerment and growth," said David Lazaro, Edraak’s Director. "Through this partnership, we aim to inspire and equip the next generation of hospitality professionals in Jordan, fostering a skilled workforce that can contribute to the growth of the industry."
The "Careers in Hospitality" course is now live on the IHG Academy Skills Builder platform, and interested individuals can enrol for free. This initiative represents a significant step towards enhancing the skills and knowledge of hospitality professionals in Jordan, ultimately contributing to the development of a vibrant and sustainable hospitality sector.
LINK DIRECTLY TO SOURCE: IHG Academy Partners with Queen Rania Foundation and Edraak to Launch "Careers in Hospitality" MOOC for Jordan
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