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assets, such as hot springs, forest bathing experiences and traditional healing practices, which, he said,“ align with the growing demand for holistic and health-focused travel.”
The Ryokan Collection is expanding its enhancements at other properties, too, some geared toward travelers for whom inhabiting a historic
AuBlanc at InterContinental Sapporo in Hokkaido.
The 81-room Six Senses Kyoto is billed as an urban sanctuary.
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space is not enough. Ryokan Shinsen( Takachiho, Kyushu) introduced“ The Swordsmith Experience” where guests will visit the forge of swordsmith Matsbua Kagemasa to participate in the sword-making process, demonstrations and hands-on forging.
Other excursion opportunities offered at
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other ryokans include folk pottery making, green tea picking, geisha performances, cormorant fishing and ninja experiences.
“ We place great value on offering experiences uniquely tied to individual properties— moments that can only be encountered by staying at that specific ryokan,” said Fukunaga.
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“ Our members curate extraordinary experiences that reflect the spirit and richness of their region, allowing guests to engage with Japan in a truly personal and memorable way.”
FUTURE VISION IHG Hotels & Resorts has its gaze set firmly on the future. The company added 20 new properties across 10 brands to its Japan pipeline, in addition to its current 57-hotel footprint, part of an ambitious development strategy— including a partnership with ANA, Japan’ s largest airline— focused on booming domestic as well as international tourism.
“ As the inbound arrivals have grown from eight million in 2012 to an estimated 40 million this year, we are seeing a very strong luxury market [ for ] around 150 million domestic travelers per quarter,” said Abhijay Sandilya, CEO, IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan, and managing director, IHG Hotels & Resorts Japan & Micronesia.“ Across the wider portfolio, we are seeing the growth of conversions as independent hotels and operators look to benefit from the strength of our brands and enterprise.”
Relying on a multitude of new brands— seven introduced since 2020— IHG is banking on a variety of accommodations to satisfy the expectations of luxury travelers.
Only weeks after the debut of Six Senses Kyoto, an 81-room retreat with décor inspired by Japanese folklore and classic literature, a Six Senses
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36 hotelsmag. com Jan / Feb 2026 |