For the first time in several years, there is a new number one atop the annual HOTELS ranking of the world’s biggest hotel companies. Hilton Worldwide added close to 37,000 guestrooms in 2014, surpassing IHG and moving into the top spot on the list.
Marriott International moves into the second slot by adding 39,000 rooms, while IHG — still adding more than 31,000 rooms — stands third in the listing and will likely return to the top next year with Kimpton now folded into its portfolio (the deal closed in January after our deadline).
But again, the march up the ranking by Chinese hotel companies is noteworthy. Guangzhou’s Plateno Hotel Group makes a big leap up to the seventh position in the ranking, while previously unidentified Eastern Crown Hotels Group joins the ranking in the 33rd position.
In fact, based on the new data, one thing remains abundantly clear: industry growth on a global scale is continuing unabated.
For a complete list of the top 300 corporate hotel companies and top 25 consortia, click here.