{"id":222859,"date":"2026-05-11T10:26:54","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T08:26:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/?p=222859"},"modified":"2026-05-11T10:26:54","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T08:26:54","slug":"hotellerie-solid-third-quarter-middle-east","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/en\/hotellerie-solid-third-quarter-middle-east","title":{"rendered":"Hospitality: a solid first quarter despite the war in the Middle East"},"content":{"rendered":"

As long as the growth algorithm remains intact, all is well. The war in the Middle East, which broke out on 28 February, has not clouded the horizon for the major hotel groups. The results presented for the first quarter of 2026 \u2013 which, it is true, were only one-third affected by the conflict \u2013 show no signs of weakness, and sector leaders continue to report good growth prospects for the current year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building on the strong performance seen in the final months of 2025 across the sector, the British group IHG reported a 4.41% year-on-year increase in revenue per available room (RevPAR) for the first quarter. The trend is equally positive for US hoteliers, with growth of +3.61% quarter-on-quarter at Hilton, +4.21% at Marriott and +5.41% at Hyatt. Only the major franchisors Wyndham and Choice Hotels, which operate in less profitable segments, recorded mixed results, with a slight decline, not due to the conflict in the Gulf \u2013 where they have virtually no presence \u2013 but because of an exceptional concentration of severe weather events such as storms Fern and Hernando.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its part, Accor is performing as well as, if not better than, its competitors, with RevPAR up by 5.11% in Q3, driven two-thirds by higher prices globally, and is looking to the future with confidence. \u201c Our diverse geographical footprint, the quality of our brand portfolio, and our adaptability give us confidence in our ability to achieve further improved performance in 2026. <\/em>", said S\u00e9bastien Bazin, CEO of Accor. This is despite the fact that the Middle East accounts for 121% of the group\u2019s accommodation revenue according to 2025 figures, and 81% of its room portfolio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to protective measures to minimise the impact of the situation on its performance, the French group intends to go \" capture growth in areas that temporarily benefit from stronger demand, such as Europe or South-East Asia<\/em> Two regions that have indeed shown their good health during the past quarter, with South-East Asia regaining its position as the highest growth area in the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific region, while the rebound in activity in the United Kingdom, both in London and in the provinces, as well as the strength of the French market have supported the overall results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\" For the outlook ahead, our already booked global revenues for the second quarter indicate continued growth<\/em>, highlighted Elie Maalouf, CEO of IHG Hotels & Resorts. The impact of the conflict in the Middle East, and more broadly, disruptions to international travel flows, should be more than compensated for by increased demand in other regions.<\/em>. \"<\/p>\n\n\n\n