Global Hotel Alliance hails ‘outstanding’ Q3 performance

UAE-headquartered Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the alliance of independent hotel brands with more than 800 properties in 100 countries, has said it experienced an “exceptionally strong” Q3, with double-digit growth achieved across all performance metrics.

Continuing from the first half of the year, total hotel revenues rose 15% to reach $689m (£526m) in Q3 with year-to-date revenues now at $2bn (£1.52bn).

It revealed Q3 growth was fuelled by a 16% increase in room nights, combined with a small uptick in average rate.

GHA added that one of the key drivers behind its performance was its GHA Discovery loyalty programme, which now boasts a membership of 28.3 million. In Q3 66.2% of member revenue was generated by international stays: the US, UK, Germany, Australia and China led as top feeder markets, together contributing 26% of total international room revenue.

It added that redemptions of GHA Discovery’s rewards currency, ‘Discovery Dollars’ (D$), increased by 95% year-on-year in Q3. Members can earn and redeem D$ at any property operated by a GHA brand which it said benefited all 800-plus hotels, evidenced by total cross-brand revenues jumping 31% to $100.7m (£76.9m) in Q3, bringing total cross-brand revenue for the year to $276m (£210m).

Chris Hartley, CEO of Global Hotel Alliance, said: “Our Q3 2024 results highlight the strength of the alliance proposition and the growing engagement of our GHA Discovery members. The double-digit revenue growth and the sharp rise in direct bookings and Discovery Dollar redemptions show that our expanding global presence, our diverse choice of hotel brands and an innovative loyalty programme continue to appeal to international travellers. As we build on this momentum, we are well-positioned to finish 2024 on a high note, with even more brands and new hotels to be announced before the end of the year.”