Final answer:
Holiday Inns' value-creating innovation was the standardization of hotel services and amenities, which brought consistency and reliability to the hospitality industry.
Step-by-step explanation:
A value-creating innovation of Holiday Inns was c) Standardization of hotel services and amenities. This strategic move allowed the hotel chain to ensure consistent quality of service across all locations, which was a novel concept in the hospitality industry at the time. By offering guests identical experiences in terms of room quality, amenities, and customer service, no matter which Holiday Inn they visited, the brand was able to build a reliable reputation and cater to travelers who valued consistency in their accommodations.
This form of innovation was significant because it addressed the unpredictability that travelers often faced when booking hotels during that era. The standardization effectively set a new benchmark for hotel services, prompting other chains to follow suit, which transformed the landscape of the hospitality industry.