InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) believes that the upcoming World Cup will boost tourism in the United States, which is crucial for its business, alongside promising economic indicators.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), the owner of Holiday Inn, has expressed optimism about the potential boost to US tourism due to the upcoming World Cup. The company announced plans to return over $1 billion to investors this year, highlighting its confidence in the market. IHG's CEO, Elie Maalouf, pointed out that previous factors hindering the US hotel market in 2025 have been transient or have adjusted, suggesting a strong recovery ahead.
Maalouf remarked that it is hard not to be optimistic about the prospects for the US in 2026, especially with significant events like the World Cup and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on the horizon. These events, combined with a robust economy and record-high employment levels, are expected to foster increased travel and tourism in the USA, which has historically been the largest market for IHG.
The London-listed company, which operates over 4,000 hotels across the US, reported a 2% year-on-year drop in revenue per available room for the quarter ending in December. However, the anticipated influx of tourists for the World Cup is seen as a catalyst for revitalizing the industry, aligning with Maalouf's positive projections about the sector's rebound in the near future.
