Upheaval at the top of the world hotel market

Hilton Worldwide, the world's largest group; the merger of China's number two and number five hotels, which now have their sights set on the Starwood group: there's a lot going on among the world's leading hotel groups.
By The Editor -

For the first time in several years, the ranking of hotel groups is changing. According to the latest ranking published by Hotelsmag, it is no longer IHGbut Hilton Worldwide which occupies the place of world leader. With 715,062 rooms, the American group has now overtaken Marriott with 714,765 keys. IHG slipped back to third place with 710,295 rooms. For its part, France's AccorHotels still ranked sixth with 482,296 rooms.

But Hilton may only enjoy its top spot on the podium for a short time. According to the China Travel News website, two heavyweights in the Chinese hotel industry, the Plateno and Jin Jiang - owner of Louvre Hotels -have agreed on their merger next. The combination of the number two and number five in the Middle Kingdom would create a group with more than 795,000 rooms in operation or under development. But above all, according to a source close to the matter, this merger could be accompanied by the acquisition of Starwood Hotels.

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