IHG Hotels & Resorts Launches IHG LIFT to Drive Growth

IHG Hotels & Resorts has launched IHG LIFT, an owner growth program focused on creating more hotel development support for historically under-represented groups within the hospitality industry, and further diversifying IHG’s hotel owner community.

The company’s new program will help unlock common barriers to hotel ownership among these groups and empower diverse owner-entrepreneurs for success.

IHG will commit more than $30 million over the next five years to support the program, which includes support, access to capital and help along the hotel lifecycle, for owners who qualify in the U.S. and Canada.

The IHG LIFT program name signifies Leadership, Inclusivity, Facilitation and Transformation to represent the change needed and continued evolution across the industry.

IHG LIFT is a continuation of the company’s ongoing and firm commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), which extends a focus along the hotel lifecycle. This includes increasing the number of diverse suppliers through its EPIC Supplier Diversity Program, and working with architectural, design and construction firms that have DEI commitments within their business.

IHG LIFT aims to attract diverse owners that are less represented within the hospitality industry and within IHG’s owner community. IHG has long championed owner diversity, including working closely with the Asian-American hotel franchise community for decades.

In addition to the diverse owners in its current portfolio, IHG’s support for underrepresented groups has included sponsoring conferences, speaking engagements and lending expertise for organizations such as the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers (NABHOOD), and the Latino Hotel Association, among others.

And to help expand opportunities for women seeking hotel ownership and investment, IHG also supports programs such as She Has a Deal and AHLA’s ForWard.

To nurture the success of future leaders and increase ethnically and racially diverse talent in hospitality, IHG is also engaged in partnerships with two leading Historically Black Colleges and Universities – Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College.

IHG LIFT is aligned with IHG’s broader purpose to deliver True Hospitality for Good and its Journey to Tomorrow 2030 responsible business plan to drive change for people, communities and the planet, including cultivating an inclusive culture for our colleagues, owners and suppliers.

For more information on IHG LIFT and to contact IHG’s Development team, please visit: development.ihg.com/hotel-development/ihg-lift.