Home » HOTEL NEWS » IHG Hotels & Resorts Partners with LINE to Enhance Guest Experience in Japan with Easy Accommodation Booking

Thursday, July 31, 2025

IHG Hotels & Resorts has teamed up with LINE to provide a more convenient and seamless experience for guests in Japan. This collaboration allows travelers to easily book accommodations and access IHG One Rewards directly through LINE, a platform that has a vast user base in Japan, ensuring that guests can now manage their stays with just a few taps on their smartphones. This partnership reflects IHG’s commitment to embracing digital innovation and enhancing guest convenience in the ever-evolving hospitality landscape.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has officially rolled out its LINE MiniApp in Japan, introducing new and convenient options for guests to book accommodations and connect with IHG One Rewards through their favorite digital platforms.

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LINE is one of Asia’s most widely used communication tools, with 195 million active users each month across Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, and other regions. In Japan alone, it holds an impressive 90% market penetration among people aged 13 to 79*, making it an integral part of daily communication and digital interactions.

Now, LINE users in Japan can effortlessly book stays at any of IHG’s 6,600 hotels worldwide directly through the app. Additionally, they can easily access their IHG One Rewards account, simplifying the process for guests to sign up and participate in the rewards program.

Key Features of the IHG Hotels & Resorts LINE MiniApp:

• Direct Booking: Instantly search and reserve stays at over 6,600 IHG hotels globally.
• Easy Membership Registration: Users can sign up for IHG One Rewards with just one click using their LINE account details.
• Enhanced Member Experience: View IHG One Rewards account information, track membership status, and redeem points all within the LINE app.
• Partner Point Integration: Manage and use points from partner programs like Rakuten Points and ANA Mileage Club.

The introduction of this LINE MiniApp marks a significant step in IHG’s digital transformation, offering users seamless access to hotel bookings, IHG One Rewards features, and exclusive offers—all within a single platform.

Abhijay Sandilya, CEO of IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan and Managing Director of IHG Hotels & Resorts Japan & Micronesia, said “IHG Hotels & Resorts has made significant investments in our digital ecosystem, with the goal of offering travellers more choice in how they book IHG’s portfolio of more than 6,600 hotels around the world. LINE is Japan’s most dominant digital platform, and the launch of the LINE MiniApp allows us to reach Japanese consumers in a platform they know, trust, and spend time in.”

LINE stickers, a popular feature of the messaging app, allow users to add digital emojis to their conversations. In conjunction with the launch of a new MiniApp, IHG has introduced a special collection of exclusive LINE stickers, available for download until August 25th.

In April 2024, IHG took a significant step in enhancing its digital presence by upgrading its official LINE account. This upgrade brought a wealth of new, interactive content designed to captivate its audience and encourage deeper engagement. The result was immediate, with a surge in subscriber growth, demonstrating the effectiveness of this strategic digital move.

By July 2025, IHG’s official LINE account had garnered over 1.4 million followers. This remarkable milestone highlights the growing popularity of the brand’s digital initiatives and the increasing level of interaction from fans. The account’s growth not only showcases the appeal of IHG’s online content but also its ability to connect with a wide audience across digital channels.

The upgrade of IHG’s LINE account is just one example of the company’s ongoing commitment to enhancing guest engagement through digital innovation. By offering fresh, relevant, and interactive content, IHG is effectively meeting the evolving preferences of today’s travelers who are seeking personalized and accessible experiences. These efforts are a clear indication of IHG’s focus on creating value and building stronger relationships with its global audience.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has partnered with LINE to offer a smoother booking experience for guests in Japan. This collaboration enables users to easily book accommodations and access IHG One Rewards through LINE, a widely popular platform in the region. By leveraging digital innovation, IHG aims to enhance guest convenience and streamline the entire stay process.

Looking forward, IHG is continuing to prioritize investments in technology and solutions that address the dynamic needs of its customers. By staying ahead of the curve with these innovations, the company is adapting to the rapidly changing travel industry, ensuring it remains at the forefront of delivering exceptional guest experiences. This commitment to digital evolution is likely to fuel even more success for IHG in the years to come.

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