IHG Hotels & Resorts has kicked off 2026 with a robust first quarter, reporting a 4.4% increase in global RevPAR and officially crossing the 7,000-hotel mark. The group’s diversified portfolio and strategic focus on conversions have pushed its global system to over 1.03 million rooms, reflecting a 5% net system size growth year-on-year.
The growth story for Q1 was dominated by Greater China (+5.7%) and the EMEAA region (+5.6%), the latter showing remarkable resilience despite ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Notably, the recovery of corporate and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) segments led the charge, with Group revenue up 7% and Business travel up 6%, significantly outpacing leisure growth.
CEO Elie Maalouf attributed the “better than expected” performance to IHG’s scale and its ability to capture demand across all chain scales. The quarter also saw the international debut of the Noted Collection in EMEAA and the entry of the Garner Essentials brand into the Chinese market. With a pipeline of 343,000 rooms and a $950 million share buyback program underway, IHG remains confident in its 2026 profit expectations.
