Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Corporate bookings spike gives IHG hope for business travel

The company said its hotel RevPAR rose 66 percent in the third quarter

Corporate bookings spike gives IHG hope for business travel

THE INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS Group (IHG) says it is seeing encouraging signs of recovery in business and international travel. Corporate bookings in the U.S. are strong as IHG’s room revenue inches closer to pre-pandemic levels.

The owner of the Holliday Inn, Crowne Plaza and Regent brands said in an article on Reuters that its hotel RevPAR rose 66 percent in the third quarter, with the U.S. down just 7 percent from 2019 levels after a busy summer season.


"Domestic leisure demand was particularly strong in a number of markets over the summer, where occupancy and rates climbed back to 2019 levels," said Keith Barr, CEO of IHG.

IHG said it was encouraged by signs of an uplift in business travel, group bookings and international trips during September.

In early October, IHG announced two new Voco Hotels in the U.S. – the Voco St James Hotel New Orleans in Louisiana and the Voco Olympia Hotel at Capitol Lake in Washington.

Revenue in IHG's Americas region, which account for the bulk of the group's revenue, rose 76 percent in the quarter and was down 10 percent compared to 2019.

"IHG's key Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn brands in particular weak relative to their segments," said James Ainley, a Citi analyst.

IHG has been reviewing around 200 Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza hotels to save cost and position itself for growth post COVID-19. It has exited or confirmed the exit of 90 hotels already, the company said.

The global brand is targeting an additional $25 million in cost savings this year.

A study by the American Hotel & Lodging Association and Kalibri Labs in September revealed that U.S. hotels would incur more than $59 billion loss in business travel revenue this year compared to 2019.

According to the report, the revenue from the segment is unlikely to reach pre-pandemic levels until 2024.

More for you

Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act 2025

House bill aims to curb frivolous lawsuits

Summary:

  • The House introduced the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2025 to reform tort law.
  • AAHOA said the bill would restore accountability in the legal system.
  • In 2023, the Supreme Court vacated a case on “tester lawsuits” under the ADA.

THE HOUSE OF Representatives recently introduced the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2025 to reform tort law and mandate sanctions for frivolous lawsuits. AAHOA supported the bill, saying it would restore accountability to the legal system, an issue for small-business owners such as hoteliers.

Keep ReadingShow less
H-2B visa hospitality impact

Study: H-2B visas boost U.S. jobs and wages

Summary:

  • The H-2B visa program protects U.S. jobs and wages, according to AHLA citing a study.
  • It allows hotels and resorts to meet travelers’ needs while supporting the economy.
  • It provides foreign workers for seasonal jobs when domestic workers are unavailable.

THE H-2B VISA program does not harm U.S. jobs or wages but increases pay and supports the labor force, according to an Edgeworth Economics study. Citing that study, the American Hotel & Lodging Association said the program enables hotels and resorts to meet travelers’ needs while supporting the workforce and economy.

Keep ReadingShow less
AHLA hotel survey

AHLA: Hotels scaling back development plans

Summary:

  • AHLA’s survey finds reduced hotel development and renovation plans.
  • Only 8 percent of property owners are moving forward with new investments.
  • Survey participants included 387 property owners and operators.

ABOUT 32 PERCENT of U.S. hotel owners and operators are delaying development projects and 24 percent are scaling back plans, according to a recent survey by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. About 8 percent have canceled projects entirely.

Keep ReadingShow less
Howard Johnson 100th anniversary

HoJo marks centennial with throwback

Summary:

  • Howard Johnson is marking its 100th anniversary with fried clam–shaped soaps.
  • The soaps pay homage to an iconic HoJo menu item.
  • Available at select hotels and for online purchase starting Oct. 3.

HOWARD JOHNSON BY Wyndham marks a century with one of its most famous menu items, the fried clam strip. The brand is introducing limited-edition HoJo’s Original Fried Clam Soap, available at select Howard Johnson hotels across the U.S. and for online purchase beginning Oct. 3.

Keep ReadingShow less
AI digital assistant redefining guest loyalty in U.S. hospitality industry

Study: AI agents redefine hotel loyalty

Summary:

  • The use of AI agents hotels must rethink customer loyalty, a FAU study finds.
  • The paper proposes strategies as AI becomes the main booking channel.
  • Researchers warn of ethical and privacy issues.

HOTELS MUST RETHINK how they build and maintain loyalty as artificial intelligence systems make travel decisions and bookings for consumers, according to a study by Florida Atlantic University. The rise of artificial intelligence agents will complicate hotel customer loyalty management.

Keep ReadingShow less