Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza owner IHG reports US and China-fuelled bounce-back in demand

InterContinental Hotels Group said on Friday that it has repaid a £600 million UK government loan as the Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza owner reported a bounce-back in bookings fuelled by resurgent demand in America and China.

The FTSE 100 firm, which plunged to a $280 million pre-tax loss in 2020 after its "toughest" year ever, said 96% of its estate had reopened by April, with group occupancy averaging 40% in the first quarter.

IHG highlighted its available liquidity of $2.1 billion as of March 31, and chief executive Keith Barr predicted the growing vaccine rollout combined with travel restrictions lifting will lead to “further momentum in an industry recovery” this year - although he cautioned that the “risk of volatility remains”.

The group has said it plans to reduce costs by $75 million this fiscal year while continuing to invest in growth. It made 92 signings worldwide in the quarter. 

The group’s largest market is the US, where around 4,500 of its 5,900 hotels are based. IHG said 99% of its Americas hotels have reopened, and that it saw “notable pick-up in demand in March” with a boost from US Spring Break travellers. 

US revpar or revenue per available room - a key industry metric many banks look at when making in lending agreements - was down 43% on the first quarter of 2019, and 28% on Q1 2020.

But UK revpar was still down 75% on 2019 levels, with around 14% of IHG hotels in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia still closed at the end of March.

Barr said: “Trading continued to improve during the first quarter of 2021.

"There was a notable pick-up in demand in March, particularly in the US and China, which continued into April. While the risk of volatility remains for the balance of the year, there is clear evidence from forward bookings data of further improvement as we look to the months ahead.

"We’re confident that IHG is well positioned for sustained growth.”

Nicholas Hyett, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said that the trading update shows “there are now early signs of a recovery, albeit from a low base”.

He said: “Long term the recovery depends on the state of the wider economy, and particularly the timing of a return to international travel. However we think IHG’s model means it’s better placed to weather an extended downturn than most.”