Articles tagged “ihg”

Keith Barr was the driving force behind IHG's growth during his six years at the helm, and here are eight important moments from that time that we've covered at Skift.

Today's edition of Skift's daily podcast looks at tourism influencers, IHG's departing CEO, and Hawaii's tourism frustrations.

From adding luxury, lifestyle, and resort brands to boosting the company's ground game in China and the U.S., Keith Barr will leave a wide-ranging legacy from his half-dozen years as CEO of IHG when he departs in June.

The earnings report from IHG Hotels & Resorts was good but overshadowed by the news of the resignation of Keith Barr. 

Under Barr, IHG shook off years of brand cobwebs and expanded its portfolio. Like Barr, Maalouf comes into the CEO role with years of brand experience that can serve him well.

In most cases, having not a whole lot more than 25 properties is an optimum number.

This all about the luxury sector, as Hyatt gains the UK-based agency's 1 million higher-spending members and could double the number of boutique and luxury properties it offers.

Overall, analysts at investment banks like what they hear from public hotel companies about their financial performance in the near term. But the lookout for 2024 is uncertain.

Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs would like to multiply consumers' encounters with his brand beyond occasional hotel and resort stays. A potential paid membership product would let luxury travelers hop among new clubs, building on a model Soho House has popularized.

Hopefully this demand from travelers will encourage more tourism businesses to adopt sustainable practices as it now makes business sense for them to do so.