InterContinental Hotels Group PLC reported a substantial increase in revenue per average room, boosted by strong growth in China after travel restrictions were removed.
In a trading update, the FTSE 100-listed firm said first-quarter revenue per average room (RevPar) climbed 33% year-on-year with Americas up 18%, EMEAA up 64% and Greater China up 75%.
Compared to 2019, RevPAR rose 6.8% with Americas up 11.1%, EMEAA up 9.7% and Greater China down 9.1%.
Occupancy was 64%, up 5 percentage points on last year.
Chief executive Keith Barr said: "We've seen a good start to the year, with continued strong trading in both the Americas and EMEAA, and an excellent rebound in demand in Greater China since the lifting of travel restrictions.
“Leisure demand has remained buoyant, and there has been further return of business and group travel as expected.”
He said the company opened 8,000 rooms across 45 hotels in the quarter, and despite financing challenges for the wider commercial real estate industry, “we anticipate improving levels as the year progresses”.
Barr also said he intends to step down as CEO effective June 30. He will be succeeded by Elie Maalouf who has led IHG's Americas business as regional CEO for the past eight years.