InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has added 18 hotels to its European pipeline over the summer period as it continues to expand.

With properties now scheduled to open in the UK, Spain, Portugal, Germany, France, Russia and Turkey, IHG plans to add 2,375 new rooms to its portfolio.

Kirk Kinsell, IHG’s president for Europe, Middle East and Africa said: “These new signings demonstrate the confidence developers have in our brands and the strength of our marketing programmes.”

These new additions mean IHG continues to hold the hospitality industry’s largest development pipeline, with 1,300 hotels planned worldwide.

Mr Kinsell continued: “This puts us in a great position to continue to take advantage of the market upturn and grow market share.”

European Portfolio

The new IHG properties will be spread across the UK-based group’s portfolio of brands.

Developments include Hotel Indigo locations in Newcastle, Madrid, and Lisbon – bringing the total number of boutique properties to 36, with a further 57 in the pipeline.

Staybridge Suites Edinburgh, managed by BDL Management, is also set to open in autumn 2011, while Crowne Plaza Istanbul Harbiye Turkey will follow.

The majority of the hotels will fall under the Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express brands, with properties scheduled to open in London, Ekaterinburg, Istanbul and Marseilles.