InterContinental Hotels Group has announced the signing of a Japanese onsen resort, the ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & Spa, as part of a deal between IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan and GHS K.K.

The property will be IHG’s first resort of this kind, and will feature amenities including a public onsen bath, spa and pool, as well as a fitness centre, restaurants, bars and a Club InterContinental lounge. Each of the 89 guestrooms will feature both common and private onsen supplied with water from a local hot spring.

Scheduled to open in 2019, this will be the city of Oita’s first international luxury branded hotel, and is expected to be a key attraction for both Japanese and overseas visitors, catering to the burgeoning luxury traveller segment.

The resort – which is situated on 82,000m² of land overlooking the city and bay – will be developed by Tokyo Century Corporation, with the support of Oita prefecture and Beppu City.

Hans Heijligers, CEO of IHG ANA, comments: “InterContinental is a world-renowned, truly international luxury hotel brand, located in most of the world’s key cities and many resort destinations. We are delighted to be launching in Beppu, a scenic area of natural beauty, blessed with rich cuisine and fine hot springs. As InterContinental’s first onsen resort, ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & Spa will be a globally unique luxury resort, and I am confident it will be a highly sought-after destination for both domestic and international travellers. This ANA and InterContinental co-branded hotel will attract both international and domestic travellers.”

Oita Prefecture has become increasingly popular as a tourist destination in recent years, especially for visitors from South Korea, Taiwan and South East Asia, with this expected to grow as Oita City prepares to host the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Shunichi Asada, President & CEO, Representative Director of Tokyo Century Corporation, adds: “This is the first luxury resort development for Tokyo Century Corporation, and we are especially excited to work with an internationally acclaimed global hotel brand as InterContinental for this project. Through the ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & Spa development, our aim is to contribute to Beppu’s ambition to be a world-class international tourist destination.”

There are currently 69 IHG properties across Asia, Middle East and Africa, representing over one third of its total 187 globally. 27 more are in the development pipeline, and set to open in the coming three to five years.

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