InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has entered the Indonesian island of Bintan for the first time with the signing of agreement for two new-build hotels.

Scheduled to open in 2019, the dual-branded Holiday Inn and Hotel Indigo property will be located on a 9.2-hectare beachfront plot in the Lagoi Bay area of Bintan, which is located across the Melaka Strait from Singapore.

The two new properties will provide new midscale and upscale accommodation options on the island, plus dining options and extensive meeting space.

“Indonesia is a key market for IHG; it is a diverse market, with a strong leisure and business pull, and the well-placed for easy travel between Australia, Southeast Asia and Singapore. In the past year we have seen a growing demand for the Holiday Inn and Hotel Indigo in Bali, Jakarta and Semarang,” said Rajit Sukumaran, IHG’s chief development officer for Asia, Middle East & Africa.

“This presents an excellent opportunity for us to introduce our Holiday Inn and Hotel Indigo brands, providing a mix of brand offerings to cater to the influx in travellers.”

The 250-room Holiday Inn Resort Bintan Lagoi Beach is designed for families, with a large pool, multiple restaurants and a “Kids Eat & Stay Free” programme. The hotel also offers several function rooms and a large ballroom for up to 300 people.

Hotel Indigo Bintan Lagoi Beach meanwhile, will offer a beachfront restaurant, gym, swimming pool and boardroom.

The development of the new IHG hotels comes during a strong period of growth for Bintan’s tourism industry. With Bintan International Airport scheduled for completion next year, international tourist arrivals are expected to double from the current 320,000 per year. The hotels are also located 10 minutes’ drive from the ferry terminal.

There are currently 22 IHG properties located in Indonesia with a further 23 in the development pipeline. The company recently announced details of the country’s first Hotel Indigo, which will be located in the Seminyak area of Bali.