HOTELS has been ranking the world’s biggest hotel companies since 1971, when the “Service World International 100” was led by Holiday Inns Inc. and its 1,293 hotels and 182,513 guest rooms – the biggest hotel chain in the world and a US$1 billion company. ITT Sheraton Corp. of America followed with 225 hotels and 59,600 rooms. These trailblazers were just starting to conquer the world.
Today, globalization rules and the conquerors are not yet satisfied. The mantra remains size equals leverage, and leverage means everything to marketshare. Marriott International has broken the 1 million room barrier for the first time in industry history and has its sights set still higher as multiple competitors, including Hilton and several emerging from China, nipping at their heels.
Best of all, the rankings on the following pages are a sign of a healthy industry prepared to reach for more as travel continues to grow.
For now, enjoy the list based on data as of December 31, 2016.
