International Hotels group has been aggressively pursuing its international expansion, particularly in Latin America and through its Holiday Inn family of brands. The expansion has been through the opening of the Holiday Inn Orizaba hotel (103 rooms) in Veracruz, Mexico and the groundbreak of Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Hermosillo (185 rooms) in Sonora, Mexico.The development of the Veracruz establishment was a conversion overseen by Constructora Guraieb and Associates. IHG now boasts a strong presence in the city, with eight establishments, including two Crowne Plaza hotels, one Hotel Indigo property, three Holiday Inn hotels and one Holiday Inn Express hotel.Construction has also begun on the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Hermosillo, owned and managed by Posadas Cantabria. The hotel is slated to open before the end of 2014. This will be the fourth IHG hotel in Sonora, currently hosting two Holiday Inn hotels and one Holiday Inn Express hotel. The more than 12 million dollar investment is a testament to IHG's growing presence in Mexico.Gerardo Murray, vice president, Strategic Marketing Services, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean, IHG, highlights the brand's strategic location in both cases, keeping the brand identity closely associated with economic and business centers of the city and region.