InterContinental Hotels Group expects to open 100 new hotels in China in the next three years, making the country one of the two largest profit earners for the hotel giant in 10 years, according to an executive of the group.

Kent Sun, chief development officer of IHG Greater China, made the remarks at a celebration of the group's 30th anniversary of operating in China, on Feb 15.

IHG has nearly 200 hotels open and another 180 hotels in the development pipeline.

The hotelier has developed its five brands — InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts and Holiday Inn Express Hotels — in the country. A new addition, HUALUXE Hotels and Resorts — the first international luxury hotel brand designed specifically for Chinese consumers — is due to open its first hotel in 2014.

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