IHG surpasses 1 million rooms, underscoring global hotel brand dominance

August 12, 2025 in Business, Companies, The Business Interview by Editor

IHG’s achievement reinforces the influence of international hotel brands on the global tourism and hospitality landscape, and signals robust industry growth amid strong travel demand worldwide

IHG Hotels & Resorts (Intercontinental Hotel Group), has crossed the one million open rooms mark, a milestone that places it among the few global hospitality groups to reach such scale. The figure covers more than 6,700 hotels in over 100 countries, anchored by 20 brands ranging from luxury to midscale.

The growth is driven by record room openings in the first half of 2025, strong performance in key markets such as the US and China, and rapid expansion across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The group’s development pipeline now exceeds 2,200 hotels.

“Reaching one million rooms reflects the deep trust and confidence our guests, owners, and investors place in IHG and our brands,” IHG’s CEO Elie Maalouf, said during the announcement August 7. “We’re excited about the many more special moments our hotels will be part of in the years ahead.”

The milestone comes on the back of IHG’s strongest-ever half-year growth, including record room openings in the first six months of 2025. The group has also achieved major regional benchmarks, such as operating 4,000 hotels in the US, opening its 800th hotel in Greater China as it marks 50 years in the region, and expanding rapidly across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia (EMEAA).

Recent additions to the portfolio include:

• Kimpton Mas Olas Resort & Spa, Mexico – An eco-luxury retreat in Todos Santos.
• Holiday Inn Kyoto Gojo, Japan – The brand’s return to Kyoto.
• voco Malta – A sustainable city hotel in St. Julian’s.
• Hotel Indigo Hainan Clear Water Bay, China – Celebrating local maritime culture.

For East Africa, the milestone underscores the potential for more international brand penetration in a region where hospitality infrastructure is expanding to serve both tourism and business travel. In Uganda, where the international hotel scene is dominated by a small number of global players, analysts say brand presence could grow alongside planned tourism marketing drives and new transport links, such as the Standard Gauge Railway and expanded air routes.

Industry experts note that IHG’s scale also means greater influence over global supplier networks — a factor that can create opportunities for African exporters of food, furnishings and hospitality products if they can meet brand standards.