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IHG Hotels and Resorts has reported that global room revenues increased by 4.4% during the first quarter of 2026, bolstered by strong demand in China and the US.
It comes as the hotel chain surpassed 7,000 open hotels during the first three months. IHG’s development continued with 82 hotel openings, representing 14,900 rooms or a 2% rise on the previous year.
IHG attributed its performance to the group in group and business travel segments, which rose by 7% and 6% respectively. Meanwhile, leisure travel revenues saw a smaller increase of 1%.
Average daily rates rose by 2% and occupancy levels grew by 1.5% during the first quarter. Greater China recorded the strongest regional growth at 5.7%.
The group signed exactly 163 hotels to its pipeline in the first quarter, with conversion brands accounting for 53% of these signings as owners sought access to the IHG platform.
A share buyback programme for 2026 has also completed $240m (£176m) of its $950m (£698m) target. This has reduced the total share count of the company by 1.1%.
Elie Maalouf, chief executive of IHG Hotels and Resorts, said: “With thanks to our teams we delivered a very strong Q1 trading performance, benefiting from our diverse global footprint and better than expected demand in most regions around the world.
“Global RevPAR grew 4.4%, with notable strength in the US on top of good growth this time last year, and further acceleration in Greater China following a return to growth in the prior quarter. Our diverse EMEAA region also performed well despite challenges from the conflict in the Middle East, where we continue to do all we can to support our guests, teams and owners.”
He added: “We are proud to have reached the milestone of more than 7,000 hotels, having opened 82 properties during Q1. Strong pipeline momentum continued with the signing of 163 hotels, which was ahead of 2025. Demand for quick-to-market conversions to IHG’s brands and enterprise platform continues to be high, representing 35% of rooms opened and 53% of signings in the quarter.”
