Bloomberg Talks InterContinental Hotel Group CEO Talks 2026 Optimism
Feb 18, 2026
Elie Maalouf, CEO of InterContinental Hotel Group and leader of the company’s global brand expansion, talks strategy and outlook for 2026. He reviews 2025 performance and record openings. He explains U.S. headwinds last year and why the World Cup, hiring trends, and China’s recovery fuel optimism. He unveils a new Noted Collection for premium urban leisure.
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IHG's Strong 2025 Underpins 2026 Confidence
- IHG delivered strong 2025 financials with global growth and record openings.
- Elie Maalouf says those trends make the company confident heading into 2026.
2025 Headwinds Likely To Ease In 2026
- Multiple U.S. headwinds in 2025 (tariff anxiety, government shutdown, lower inbound travel) should ease in 2026.
- Maalouf highlights stronger GDP, employment, and tech/energy capital spending as positive drivers.
Prepare Hotels In Host And Neighbor Cities
- Prepare inventory in major host cities and nearby markets ahead of big events.
- Maalouf expects the World Cup to be accretive to revenue and emphasizes readiness in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.