IHG Hotels & Resorts reported global RevPAR growth of 4.4% in the first quarter of 2026, with average daily rate up 2.0% and occupancy up 1.5 percentage points. Regional performance included the Americas at +3.6%, EMEAA at +5.6% and Greater China at +5.7%.
The company opened 82 hotels totaling 14,900 rooms in Q1, surpassing the milestone of 7,000 open hotels globally. Net system size grew 5.0% year-on-year to 1,036,000 rooms across 7,014 hotels. IHG signed 163 hotels totaling 21,400 rooms in Q1, 6% more than the same period last year excluding the Ruby brand acquisition. The global pipeline stands at 343,000 rooms across 2,347 hotels, up 3% year-over-year. Conversions represented 35% of rooms opened and 53% of signings in the quarter.
Q1 rooms revenue growth by segment on a comparable basis was strongest in Groups at +7% and Business at +6%, with Leisure at +1%.
In the Americas, the U.S. posted RevPAR growth of +3.4%. Garner, IHG’s midscale conversion brand, now exceeds 100 open and pipeline hotels in the Americas and nearly 200 globally. In Greater China, gross system growth reached 12.9% year-over-year with 37 hotels opened, 73% more rooms than in the same quarter last year. EMEAA RevPAR grew 5.6% for the quarter, though Middle East RevPAR declined 2% overall in Q1 and an estimated 50% in April due to ongoing conflict, indicating a significant disparity in performance across regions and highlighting the challenges faced in the Middle East compared to the overall growth in other areas.
IHG completed $240 million of its $950 million 2026 share buyback program to date, reducing the share count by 1.1%.
“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,” said Elie Maalouf, CEO of IHG Hotels & Resorts. “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. 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. This included the first signing for our new premium brand, Noted Collection, in EMEAA and the arrival of our essentials conversion brand, Garner, into Greater China. 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.”