The company's U.S. RevPAR turned positive from April, increasing 2.5 percent in Q2
By Vishnu Rageev RAug 13, 2024
INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP reported a 3 percent increase in global RevPAR in the first half of 2024, with 3.2 percent growth in the second quarter, driven by a recovery in U.S. markets. ADR rose 2 percent, and occupancy increased by 0.6 percentage points in the first half, leading to a 6 percent rise in total gross revenue, reaching $16.1 billion.
The company's U.S. RevPAR was positive starting in April, increasing by 2.5 percent in the second quarter, IHG said in a statement. In May, IHG reported a 0.3 percent year-over-year decline in RevPAR for the Americas in the first quarter, due to a 1.9 percent drop in U.S. RevPAR.
“We are making great progress on the delivery of our strategic priorities and the clear framework to drive future value creation that we set out in February,” said Elie Maalouf, IHG’s CEO. “RevPAR growth accelerated in the latest quarter, reflecting a strong U.S rebound in the second quarter and the breadth of our global footprint, and development activity continues to increase. Together with system growth, notable margin expansion and the benefit of returning surplus capital through buybacks, adjusted EPS growth was up 12 percent.”
However, growth in the Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa region slowed, with RevPAR up 7.5 percent for the half-year. In the second quarter, RevPAR increased 6.3 percent, down from 8.9 percent in the first quarter. In Greater China, RevPAR fell 2.6 percent for the half-year and 7 percent in the second quarter, following a 2.5 percent rise in the first quarter.
Global growth
The Berkshire, England-based IHG expanded its global footprint with a 4.9 percent increase in gross system growth year-over-year and a 3.2 percent rise in net system growth. The company opened 18,000 rooms across 126 hotels in the first half of the year, bringing its global estate to 955,000 rooms in 6,430 hotels. During the same period, IHG signed 384 hotels comprising 57,100 rooms, representing a 67 percent increase from the previous year, or a 15 percent rise when adjusting for acquisitions like Iberostar and NOVUM.
“We celebrated 126 hotel openings in the half and the signing of a record-breaking 384 properties, equivalent to more than two a day,” said Maalouf. “These included the first six openings and 118 signings from the NOVUM Hospitality agreement, which doubles our presence in the important and attractive German market. After growth of more than 7 percent in the first quarter, a very busy second quarter saw 23 percent more signings year on year or a more than doubling when including NOVUM, and this keeps us on track for net system size growth expectations.”
The global pipeline now stands at 330,000 rooms in 2,225 hotels, a 15 percent increase year-over-year. In the second quarter alone, IHG opened 11,700 rooms across 80 hotels and signed 39,400 rooms, comprising 255 hotels, a significant leap from the 17,700 rooms signed in the first quarter. This represents a 123 percent increase year-over-year in signings, or a 23 percent rise when adjusted for acquisitions.
Robust financials
IHG's revenue in the first half of the year rose 4.3 percent to $2.32 billion from $2.23 billion a year earlier. However, pretax profit fell 17 percent to $472 million from $567 million, the statement said. The company’s operating profit from reportable segments rose by 12 percent to $535 million, though this includes a $10 million adverse currency impact.
The reported operating profit of $525 million reflects a planned reduction in the prior System Fund surplus and no exceptional items, compared to an $87 million profit in 2023, IHG said. Adjusted EPS increased by 12 percent to 203.9¢, despite higher adjusted interest expenses and a 5.6 percent reduction in the weighted average number of ordinary shares.
“We continue to strengthen our enterprise to position IHG as the first choice for guests and owners, further improving and growing our brands, driving loyalty contribution, rolling out new hotel technology and increasing our ancillary fee streams,” Maalouf said. “Our cash generation and strong balance sheet continue to support further investment in growth, and we are confident in capitalising on our scale, leading positions and the attractive, long-term demand drivers for our markets.”
IHG made significant strides in returning value to shareholders, completing 47 percent of its $800 million share buyback program as of June 30, 2024. The interim dividend was raised by 10 percent to 53.2¢, and combined with the buybacks, the company is on track to return over $1 billion to shareholders by the end of 2024.
In July, IHG launched the “Low Carbon Pioneers” program, uniting energy-efficient hotels that avoid on-site fossil fuel combustion and use renewable energy. This community will help IHG test, learn, and share sustainability practices, aiming to inspire others and promote carbon reduction across IHG’s portfolio.
The Trump administration says it is reviewing more than 55 million visa holders.
Reviews cover a wide range of visas for law enforcement and overstay violations.
The administration also suspended worker visas for foreign commercial truck drivers.
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION is reviewing more than 55 million people who hold valid U.S. visas for potential violations. It is expanding a policy of “continuous vetting” that could result in revocation and deportation.
The State Department confirmed all visa holders are subject to ongoing review, which includes checking for overstays, criminal activity, threats to public safety or ties to terrorism. Should violations be found, visas may be revoked, and holders in the U.S. could face deportation, according to the Associated Press.
Officials said the reviews will include monitoring of visa holders’ social media accounts, law enforcement records and immigration files. New rules also require applicants to disable privacy settings on phones and apps during interviews. The department noted visa revocations since President Trump’s return to office have more than doubled compared to the previous year, including nearly four times as many student visas.
The administration also announced an immediate halt on issuing worker visas for foreign commercial truck drivers, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio citing road safety and competition concerns for U.S. truckers.
“The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers,” Rubio posted on X.
The Transportation Department linked the move to recent enforcement of English-language proficiency requirements for truckers, aimed at improving safety. The State Department later said it was pausing visa processing while it reviewed screening protocols.
Critics, including Edward Alden of the Council on Foreign Relations, warned the actions could have significant economic consequences.
“The goal here is not to target specific classes of workers, but to send the message to American employers that they are at risk if they are employing foreign workers,” Alden wrote, according to AP.
Data from the Department of Homeland Security shows there are 12.8 million green card holders and 3.6 million temporary visa holders in the United States. The 55 million figure under review includes many outside the U.S. with valid multiple-entry tourist visas.
Earlier this week, the State Department reported revoking more than 6,000 student visas for violations since Trump returned to office, including around 200 to 300 for terrorism-related issues.
The vast majority of foreign visitors require visas to enter the U.S., with exceptions granted to citizens of 40 countries under the Visa Waiver Program, primarily in Europe and Asia. Citizens of China, India, Russia and most of Africa remain subject to visa requirements.
A $250 Visa Integrity Fee in President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill drew criticism from groups that rely on seasonal workers from Latin America and Asia on J-1 and other visas.
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Peachtree Group originated a $176.5 million retroactive CPACE loan for a Las Vegas property.
The deal closed in under 60 days and ranks among the largest CPACE financings in the U.S.
The company promotes retroactive CPACE funding for commercial real estate development.
PEACHTREE GROUP ORIGINATED a $176.5 million retroactive Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy loan for Dreamscape Cos.’s Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The deal, completed in under 60 days, is its largest credit transaction and one of the largest CPACE financings in the U.S.
The 2,520-room Rio, now under the Destinations by Hyatt brand, was renovated in 2024 and comprises two hotel towers connected by a casino, restaurants and retail, Peachtree said in a statement.
“This transaction is a milestone for Peachtree Group and a testament to the ecosystem we have built over the past 18 years,” said Greg Friedman, Peachtree's managing principal and CEO. “Through our vertically integrated platform, deep expertise and disciplined approach, we have developed the infrastructure to be a leader in private credit. Our ability to deliver speed, creativity and certainty of execution positions us to provide capital solutions that create value for our investors and partners across market cycles.”
Atlanta-based Peachtree is led by Friedman; Jatin Desai as managing principal and CFO and Mitul Patel as principal.
The CPACE loan retroactively funded the renovations, allowing the owners to pay down their senior loan, the statement said. The property improvement plan included exterior work, upgrades to the central heating and cooling plant, electrical infrastructure improvements and convention center renovations.
Jared Schlosser, Peachtree’s head of originations and CPACE, said the deal marks an inflection point, with major financial institutions consenting to its use for the benefit of the capital stack.
“By closing quickly on a marquee hospitality asset, we were able to strengthen the position of both the owner and its lenders,” he said.
The CPACE market has surpassed $10 billion in U.S. originations in just over a decade, according to the C-PACE Alliance, with growth expected as more institutional owners and lenders adopt it.
“We see significant opportunity for retroactive CPACE and its use in funding new commercial real estate development,” Schlosser said. “It is an alternative to more expensive forms of capital.”
In June, Peachtree named Schlosser head of originations for all real estate and hotel lending and leader of its CPACE program. Peachtree recently launched a $250 million fund to invest in hotel and commercial real estate assets mispriced by capital market illiquidity.
Spark acquired the 120-key Home2 Suites by Hilton Wayne in Wayne, New Jersey.
Hunter Hotel Advisors facilitated the transaction with DC Hospitality Group affiliates.
The 2020-built hotel is near William Paterson University and less than 20 miles from Manhattan.
SPARK GHC RECENTLY acquired the 120-key Home2 Suites by Hilton Wayne in Wayne, New Jersey, from affiliates of DC Hospitality Group. Hunter Hotel Advisors facilitated the deal for an undisclosed amount.
The 2020-built hotel is less than 20 miles from Manhattan in a commercial corridor with major employers including Driscoll Foods, FedEx Group, Advanced Biotech, St. Joseph’s Wayne Hospital, and the Passaic County Administration, Hunter said in a statement. William Paterson University, Willowbrook Mall, and MetLife Stadium are also nearby.
It features an on-site fitness center, business center and indoor pool.
“The Home2 Suites by Hilton Wayne represents the type of asset we target,” said Patel. “Its proximity to major corporate demand generators, higher education institutions, and retail and entertainment venues supports strong performance.”
Hunter’s senior vice presidents, David Perrin and Spencer Davidson, brokered the transaction.
Patel said this is their second transaction with Hunter and praised the process and partnership.
“We look forward to building on the hotel’s recent performance and continuing to deliver guest experiences in the Greater New York City community,” he said.
Northstar Hotels Management recently acquired a 78-key Residence Inn and an 81-key Courtyard near the Jacksonville, Florida, airport.
Global pipeline hit a record 15,871 projects with 2.4 million rooms in Q2.
The U.S. leads with 6,280 projects; Dallas tops cities with 199.
Nearly 2,900 hotels are expected to open worldwide by the end of 2025.
THE GLOBAL HOTEL pipeline reached 15,871 projects, up 3 percent year-over-year, and 2,436,225 rooms, up 2 percent, according to Lodging Econometrics. Most were upper midscale and upscale, LE reported.
The U.S. leads with 6,280 projects and 737,036 rooms, 40 percent of the global total. Dallas leads cities with 199 projects and 24,497 rooms, the highest on record.
LE’s Q2 2025 Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report showed 6,257 projects with 1,086,245 rooms under construction worldwide, unchanged in project count and down 3 percent in rooms from last year. Projects scheduled to start in the next 12 months totaled 3,870 with 551,188 rooms, down 3 percent in projects but up 1 percent in rooms. Early planning reached 5,744 projects and 798,792 rooms, up 10 percent in projects and 9 percent in rooms year-over-year.
Upper midscale and upscale hotels accounted for 52 percent of the global pipeline, LE said. Upper midscale stood at 4,463 projects and 567,396 rooms, while upscale reached 3,852 projects and 655,674 rooms. Upper upscale totaled 1,807 projects and 385,396 rooms, and luxury totaled 1,267 projects and 245,665 rooms, up 11 percent year-over-year.
In the first half of 2025, 970 hotels with 138,168 rooms opened worldwide. Another 1,884 hotels with 280,079 rooms are scheduled to open before year-end, for a 2025 total of 2,854 hotels and 418,247 rooms. LE projects 2,531 hotels with 382,942 rooms to open in 2026 and 2,554 hotels with 382,282 rooms to open globally in 2027, the first time a forecast has been issued for that year.
HAMA is accepting submissions for its 20th annual student case competition.
The cases reflect a scenario HAMA members faced as owner representatives.
Teams must submit a financial analysis, solution and executive summary.
THE HOSPITALITY ASSET Managers Association is accepting submissions for the 20th Annual HAMA Student Case Competition, in which more than 60 students analyze a management company change scenario and provide recommendations. HAMA, HotStats and Lodging Analytics Research & Consulting are providing the case, based on a scenario HAMA members faced as owner representatives.
Student teams must prepare a financial analysis, a recommended solution and an executive summary for board review, HAMA said in a statement.
“Each year, the education committee looks forward to the solutions that the next generation of hotel asset managers bring, applying their own experiences to issues in ways that reveal new directions,” said Adam Tegge, HAMA Education Committee chair. “This competition demonstrates that the future of hotel asset management is in good hands.”
The two winning teams will each receive a $5,000 prize and an invitation to the spring 2026 HAMA conference in Washington, D.C. HAMA will cover travel and lodging.
Twenty industry executives on the HAMA education committee will evaluate submissions based on presentation quality, the statement said. HAMA mentors volunteer from September through November to assist teams seeking feedback and additional information. Schools will select finalists by Jan. 15, with graduate and undergraduate teams reviewed separately.
The competition has addressed topics in operating and owning hospitality assets and HAMA consulted university professors to update the format for situations students may encounter after graduation, the statement said.
This year’s participants include University of Denver, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Boston University, Florida International University, Michigan State University, Columbia University, Morgan State University, Howard University, New York University and Penn State University.