• Hotel revenues reach U$2 billion up 15% year-to-date, with room-nights up 16%
• Cross-brand revenues hit US$276 million, up 30%, and direct bookings soar 40%
• International stays dominate, contributing 66% of room revenue
• US, UK, Germany and Australia are top feeder markets for Q3, together delivering 26% of total international room revenue
• DISCOVERY Dollars (D$) redemptions double year-on-year

  UAE-headquartered Global Hotel Alliance, the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands with more than 800 properties in 100 countries, has reported an exceptionally strong Q3, with double-digit growth achieved across all performance metrics.   Continuing the growth story of the first half of the year, total hotel revenues rose 15% to reach US$689.0 million in Q3 with year-to-date revenues now at $2.0 billion. Q3 growth was fuelled by a 16% increase in room nights, combined with a small uptick in average rate.   One of the key drivers behind GHA’s ongoing success is its GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme, which now boasts a membership of 28.3 million. In Q3 66.2% of member revenue was generated by international stays: the US, UK, Germany, Australia and China led as top feeder markets, together contributing 26% of total international room revenue.   Redemptions of GHA DISCOVERY’s rewards currency, DISCOVERY Dollars (D$), rocketed by an impressive 95% year-on-year in Q3. Given that members can earn and redeem D$ at any property operated by a GHA brand, this activity benefited all 800-plus hotels, evidenced by total cross-brand revenues jumping 31% to $100.7 million in Q3, bringing total cross-brand revenue for the year to $276.0 million. This reflects members’ growing engagement with the loyalty programme’s rich choice of over 40 independent hotel brands, which continue to gain in popularity.   Q3 highlights explored:   Spain hotels are on top: GHA’s hotel brand properties in Spain achieved the highest total room revenues across domestic and international stays in Q3, followed by those in Thailand, Italy, Singapore, and the UAE respectively. Thailand hotels led the international room revenue rankings, with 93% of the country’s room revenue in Q3 generated by international stays, totalling $34.7 million. Italy followed with $29.0 million, and Singapore with $25.4 million.   US members top revenue drivers: GHA DISCOVERY members based in the US delivered the most room revenue in Q3, 73% of which was spent on international stays. Australian members were very active in the quarter with an almost equal domestic/international split, while members in the UK delivered the third highest room revenue, 84% of which was international.   Portugal a Q3 favourite: Looking at the most popular destinations for GHA DISCOVERY’s members over the summer months, Portugal came out on top, with members from the UK and Spain being the biggest spenders there. US members favoured Italy, while Australians chose Fiji, Germans preferred the Netherlands and members from China opted for Singapore.   More hotels, more choice: GHA’s robust Q3 performance was supported by portfolio growth in key global markets. Four new regional brands in Norway, Greece, the UAE and Malaysia with 32 hotels recently joined the alliance, while existing hotel brands continue to open new properties in key destinations around the world.   Chris Hartley, CEO of Global Hotel Alliance, commented: “Our Q3 2024 results highlight the strength of the alliance proposition and the growing engagement of our GHA DISCOVERY members. The double-digit revenue growth and the sharp rise in direct bookings and DISCOVERY Dollar redemptions show that our expanding global presence, our diverse choice of hotel brands and an innovative loyalty programme continue to appeal to international travellers. As we build on this momentum, we are well-positioned to finish 2024 on a high note, with even more brands and new hotels to be announced before the end of the year.”  

 

• Over 220 hotels, resorts and palaces in the Green Collection are committed to creating a more sustainable future to protect the people and the planet
• 15% increase in the Green Collection hotel portfolio compared to 2023
• US$1 donation to charitable causes for every Green Collection hotel booking made via GHA DISCOVERY channels until 30 April 2024

  Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands, which this year celebrates its 20^th anniversary, has been helping consumers make conscious accommodation choices with Green Collection, a carefully curated portfolio of over 220 hotels, resorts and palaces in the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme that demonstrate commitment to protecting the planet and people.   “As we mark one year of success for this collection, launched in March 2023, we applaud all the hotels, resorts and palaces who have come together to make a difference. Not only was Green Collection designed to help consumers, it was also meant to help hotels start or continue their sustainable journey by working together, sharing success stories and best practices, and providing guidance on initiatives to undertake to expand the collective impact,” says Jelena Kezika, Senior Director of Strategy at GHA.   Aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, each Green Collection property is committed to creating a more sustainable future by attaining at least one certification from 18 globally recognised organisations such as EarthCheck, Green Growth 2050, Green Globe, Green Key, FuturePlus and more. These are aligned with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s standards for sustainable travel and tourism, which guide the development of the hospitality industry for a more sustainable future, with each hotel certification assessing and targeting improvement in multiple areas, including effective sustainable planning, reduction of negative environmental impact, maximising social and economic benefits and protecting cultural heritage.   There has been a 15% increase in hotel qualification for Green Collection since its inception, with the recent addition of NH Collection Dubai The Palm, Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort and Pan Pacific London, to name a few. In 2023, there was also an 85% higher average spend per stay at Green Collection properties compared to other hotels in the programme, a signal that consumers are willing to spend more for properties that align with their values.   From leisure to business, urban to seaside, there is a Green Collection property available with sustainable practices to protect nature and benefit local communities where they operate. The collection is geographically diverse and is present in 44 countries and 121 destinations, spanning every region across 23 brands with hotels, resorts and palaces such as Djibouti Palace Kempinski Hotel, Corinthia Palace Hotel, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort and Capella Ubud. Each brand also implements best practice initiatives such as coral planting, mangrove clean-up or urban farming.   26 million of GHA DISCOVERY programme members can choose from over 220 international properties in the Green Collection, including newly joined brands like Lore Group and ASMALLWORLD.   In celebration of the first anniversary of Green Collection, GHA DISCOVERY will donate US$1 for every Green Collection stay booked through www.ghadiscovery.com or the GHA DISCOVERY mobile app for the month of April 2024 to the charities it supports as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility Programme, which includes programmes dedicated to Environmental Protection, Healthcare & Wellbeing, Children & Youth, and Animal Welfare.   The podcast series "Hotel Sustainability Stories #BeyondCOP28" will feature sustainability stories of participating Green Collection hotels, hosted by Radhika Arapally. In the inaugural episode, now on air, Jelena Kezika introduces Green Collection which is followed by 11 hotel specific episodes.   “We remain dedicated to doing our part to show the commitment toward a more sustainable future, from our corporate office in Dubai, UAE, to each of our Green Collection properties worldwide,” says Kezika.

  UAE-headquartered Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands, celebrated its 20^th anniversary this week in Berlin at the International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF), where the then start-up was first announced in 2004.   GHA was the loyalty partner of the IHIF EMEA event, which welcomed over 2,500 attendees from around the globe, and GHA CEO Chris Hartley shared his insights on the power of partnerships on the main stage.   GHA was conceived along the airline alliance model, with the goal of helping independent hotel brands to compete with the major global players, and to become less dependent on high-cost third parties for distribution. The majority of the alliance’s 800 hotels are owner-operated and GHA gives them the tools, technology and marketing reach that are difficult to achieve alone.   “The hospitality industry has seen significant consolidation over the last two decades, making it costlier for the smaller players to maintain market share; nonetheless, many owners remain fiercely independent, and so collaboration with like-minded independent brands is a great way to remain competitive”, says GHA CEO Chris Hartley.   “We are majority-owned by two of our founder member brands Kempinski and Pan Pacific Hotels Group, plus Minor and Corinthia, and our primary goal has always been to drive incremental revenue and reduce costs for their hotels, rather than to maximize profit for the alliance.”   GHA now has 40 brands with 800 hotels in 100 countries and continues to grow. In Q1 alone, the alliance welcomed The Lore Group and Cheval Collection as its latest member brands, as well as launching a partnership with Plum Guide, offering rewards for stays at its 38,000 luxury vacation homes.   All GHA member brands and hotels share one loyalty platform – GHA DISCOVERY – which in 2023 delivered US$2.3 billion in total revenue and 10 million room nights from its 26 million members; and the unique, multi-brand loyalty program has won 120 awards for its programme innovation.   To commemorate two decades of success, the GHA team was joined by its shareholders, brand executives, and hundreds of industry guests back at the iconic Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin this Tuesday evening for a 20^th anniversary party, where it all began in 2004, dancing the night away to the legendary Boney M, who had performed at the same venue all those years ago.   Reflecting on the last two decades, Hartley concluded, “We are proud to celebrate 20 years of collaboration, and hope that we can continue to grow and help the independent hotel sector to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”

 

• 2023 revenue, room nights and total stays now all higher than 2019 year to date (YTD)
• Total revenue doubled YTD compared to 2022 and hits US$1.7 billion
• Q3 revenues up 41% versus Q3 2022, and room nights up 31%
• GHA DISCOVERY hits 25 million members in loyalty programme milestone
• Spain, Thailand and Italy deliver highest room revenue in 2023 YTD
• Cross-brand revenues pick up 55% to $79 million in Q3 compared to Q3 2022
• DISCOVERY Dollars (D$) redemptions rocket 90% compared to Q3 2022

  Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands, with 800 hotels across 40 brands in 100 countries, is on track for a record year, with 2023 room revenues, room nights and total domestic and international stays year-to-date (YTD) all consistently higher than its previous best year, 2019.   Robust Q3 results are proving a major contributor to GHA’s 2023 gains, with hotel revenues 41% higher than in Q3 2022 and room nights up 31% year-on-year for Q3. The total revenue 2023 YTD has hit US$1.7 billion, which is 101% higher than in 2022 YTD.   With new GHA DISCOVERY enrolments surging 46% in Q3 versus Q3 2022, the award-winning programme reached a major milestone, with total membership topping the 25 million mark during the period.   “It’s been a remarkable year for GHA, with all key performance indicators peaking in Q3, buoyed by incredible summer demand in every key market where our hotel brands operate,” said GHA CEO Chris Hartley.   “This unbridled appetite for travel, combined with more than 21 new properties across 14 brands joining GHA since the start of the year, has made our loyalty programme even more compelling, spurring huge growth in GHA DISCOVERY membership to reach more than 25 million.   The top three countries driving 2023 room revenue gains YTD are Spain, Thailand and Italy, with Singapore and the UAE coming in a close fourth and fifth, reflecting the portfolio strength and popularity of GHA hotel brand properties in these markets.   Breaking it down by hotels generating the highest revenue from stays made by members of the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme in Q3: Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort in St. Lucia, topped the rankings, followed by two Singapore properties – PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering and PARKROYAL Collection Marina Bay, respectively. These two properties also ranked in the top three for total room night stays made by members in Q3, with the Marina Bay property ranking first and Pickering hotel taking the third slot. The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences, just outside of Delhi, India, was the second most popular property with GHA DISCOVERY members in terms of total room nights.   Q3 highlights also included a significant 90% increase in D$ rewards currency redemptions compared to Q3 2022.   With GHA DISCOVERY members empowered to earn D$ at one hotel and redeem them at any property or brand in the alliance, total cross-brand revenue reached $79 million in Q3, up 55% versus Q3 2022.   This builds on the $135 million total cross-brand revenue generated in H1 2023, with GHA on track to outperform its 2022 cross-brand total, which was already 25% ahead of the 2019 figure. GHA is currently forecasting to hit $280 million by year end.   “With D$1 equal to US$1, our rewards currency, which is flexible, transparent and easy to understand and use, puts more money into the pockets of GHA DISCOVERY members and delivers significant incremental revenue to our hotel brands,” said Hartley.   “We anticipate further spikes in redemptions before the end of the year as travel-hungry members use their D$ against winter vacations, topping them up with incremental spend to give Q4 a boost, bringing a record 2023 to a busy conclusion.

  By:  Christopher Hartley, CEO at Global Hotel Alliance   Well it’s been another incredible six months for Global Hotel Alliance and so as we head into the summer holiday season up north, I thought I would reflect on some of our biggest achievements and milestones so far this year.   Business has continued to recover strongly, with #leisuretravel still leading the way, while #businesstravel and #meetings and #events are coming back at a more modest pace. US travellers are leading the way in international travel demand, followed by the UK, while China is showing the first signs of a recovery six months after reopening.   Our GHA DISCOVERY revenues grew an amazing 122% to US$1.2 billion, of which US$135 million was cross-brand revenue (i.e. revenue from customers moving between our member brands, which is what we’re all about!).   We saw several significant new hotel openings, further expanding and enriching the choice for our GHA DISCOVERY members, including some new icons such as the Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel, the NH Collection Dubai The Palm, Capella Hotels and Resorts in Sydney and in Japan, the BELLUSTAR TOKYO, A Pan Pacific Hotel and HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel which are already our most booked hotels!   We are very proud that four of our hotel brands appeared in Travel + Leisure Co. world best awards, with Capella Hotels and Resorts being at number one, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts at number three and Viceroy Hotel Group and Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas also in the top 20!   We had an in-person gathering of our three most senior committees, with our CEO meeting hosted by Sun International in Cape Town, our Alliance Strategy Board hosted by Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas in Dubai; and our Brand Champions at the beautiful Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin. And it's so much more productive and fun to be meet again in person!   And last, but certainly not least, we launched a first-of-a-kind partnership with Regent Seven Seas Cruises, meaning customers booking a luxury cruise with Regent Seven Seas can earn our expanding digital currency, Discovery Dollars (D$), of which we have now issued over D$100 million (= same in US$). We have a like-minded customer base that love travel and luxury experiences, and so this has all the makings of a fruitful collaboration.   Thanks to all my colleagues in the fabulous GHA team, and to all of our member brands around the world for making this alliance such a successful (and fun!) business to work in.   More to come in the second half of 2023 and beyond!

 

• Room revenue spike 122% over 2022 by the end of Q2, with first-half GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme revenues topping US$1.2 billion
• International leisure stays dominate, led by resurgent demand into Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia
• China’s travel comeback evident in H1 revenue growth
• Cross-brand revenue hits US$135 million in the year through June
• 116 million DISCOVERY Dollars (D$) have been issued since the digital currency’s launch 18 months ago

  UAE-headquartered Global Hotel Alliance, the world’s largest alliance of independent hotels brands, has reported stronger-than-forecast H1 2023 results, with room revenue in its GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme up a remarkable 122% year-on-year by the end of Q2.   This new high point has been consistently building since November 2022, reflecting sustained appetite for international stays at GHA’s diverse portfolio of 800 hotels across 40 brands in 100 countries, spanning dynamic city properties, idyllic resorts, nature-immersed retreats, and even luxury palaces.   With first-half total revenues topping US$1.2 billion, up 122% on H1 2022, July and August are building on this momentum, showing record-breaking performance potential. This is being driven by the growing number of travel-hungry GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme members, whose number will reach the 25-million mark before the end of the year.   The five most popular destinations during the first six months of 2023, ranked in terms of total H1 revenue growth, were Thailand in the top-slot followed by Spain, the UAE, the Maldives, and Italy, while the USA remained the most important feeder market for international stays in terms of contribution to room revenue. Meanwhile the top five countries commanding the highest ADRs were St Lucia, Israel, the Maldives, the Seychelles and Switzerland.   China’s travel comeback made its mark too, with total hotel revenue generated by GHA DISCOVERY members reaching US$40 million, a 62% increase compared to H1 2022 and up 4% versus the same period in 2019.   Cross-brand revenue continued to surge across the entire GHA portfolio to hit US$135 million in H1, demonstrating hotels are receiving incremental revenue from GHA DISCOVERY members staying and earning DISCOVERY D$ at one property and redeeming them as part of their stay at another. Of those D$ redeemed during H1, 28% were on a cross-brand stay, generating new customers for hotels. Once on property, those members spent on average 14 times the redemption amount.   Since the GHA DISCOVERY reimagination 18 months ago, which included the introduction of D$ - a digital currency first in the hospitality sector – more than D$116 million (worth US$116 million) have been issued. Chinese and Singaporean members were the most engaged in redeeming D$ as a percentage of D$ issued to them in H1, a clear sign the currency appeals to travellers in markets where travel demand is accelerating now that pandemic-related restrictions have been lifted.   Another incentive for all members to earn and spend their D$ is the growing choice of hotel brands and properties, with 21 new hotel additions in H1, ranging from luxury beach resorts to urban retreats in popular city destinations. They included several destination debuts for GHA hotel brands, such as Anantara Plaza Nice, the first Anantara in France; NH Dubai the Palm, a Middle East foray for NH; and Capella Sydney, the first Capella property in Australia.   “Our strong H1 numbers reflect the huge demand for leisure travel and the slow but steady recovery of business travel. We are now entering a phase of sustained growth, buoyed by a unique multi-brand loyalty programme that continues to grow its offering of new hotels and destinations,” said GHA CEO Chris Hartley.   Taking a look at the remainder of 2023, 64% of all member bookings are concentrated in 10 countries, led by Australia, which has jumped up from second place in 2022 to the top slot in 2023, followed by Singapore, China, Germany and Thailand. Meanwhile GHA’s first hotels in Japan – Pan Pacific and PARKROYAL hotels in Tokyo - are already the most booked hotels this year to date.   “With Q2 results hitting a new record and summer bookings overwhelmingly strong, coupled with the potential to capture catch-up demand from key source markets in Asia, and in particular China, the outlook for H2 is very promising, and we anticipate ending 2023 on a revenue and membership high,” Hartley concluded.

 

• Thailand, Maldives, UAE, Spain, Singapore and Caribbean lead room revenue hikes 
• 16 new hotels across nine brands join GHA portfolio since January
• Room revenue and rooms nights bounce back to 2019 levels in Q1
• Total revenue hits US$550 million for the quarter, up 127% on 2021
• International stays surpass pre-pandemic figures since November
• Cross-brand revenue hits US$61m in Q1 and is forecast to reach $260m in 2023

  UAE-headquartered Global Hotel Alliance, the world’s largest alliance of independent hotels brands, has kick-started 2023 with accelerated growth, with 16 new hotels joining its portfolio and performance figures meeting or exceeding pre-pandemic levels in Q1, driven by continued appetite for international leisure travel.   Building on the momentum of 2022, the first three months of 2023 continued the strong growth trend, with repeat-stay room revenue and room nights at GHA’s 800 hotels across 40 brands in 100 countries back to 2019 highs since the start of the year and total revenue hitting more than US$550 million for the quarter.   International stays made by the 24 million GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme members grew strongly, consistently exceeding 2019 figures, with popular leisure destinations driving the robust recovery in room revenue into Q1 2023 including Thailand (91% international stays), the UAE (82%), the Maldives (99%), Caribbean (100%) and Singapore (70%).   Unsurprisingly, stays by members in China remained mostly domestic, but now travel restrictions have been lifted, the trend is quickly shifting towards international. GHA DISCOVERY members who travelled overseas the most were from the US, UK, Russia and France respectively, whereas members in Spain predominantly made domestic trips.   Meeting accelerating demand for international travel, GHA continues to grow, with its hotel brands adding new properties in highly desirable beach and city destinations around the world, with 16 new hotels joining the portfolio in Q1.   New additions included idyllic resorts such as Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas, set on a lush island in Phang Nga Bay, Thailand; Tivoli La Caleta Tenerife Resort in the sub-tropical Canary Islands; the stylish Tivoli Alvor in the glamorous Algarve, Portugal; NH Collection Dubai The Palm, on Dubai’s iconic Palm Jumeirah; and two with a stunning clifftop location – The Leela Kovalam, A Raviz Hotel, in Kerala, India, and Kempinski Barbaros Reserve Residences in Bodrum, Turkey.   GHA DISCOVERY members can also choose from a host of new properties with prime locations in dynamic city destinations and urban hotspots opening around the world, including Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel in the South of France; Capella Sydney, Australia; NH Bern The Bristol, Switzerland; NH Iquique Pacífic, Chile; La Suite Dubai Hotel & Apartments, the UAE; BELLUSTAR TOKYO, A Pan Pacific Hotel and HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel, both in Tokyo, Japan; Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore; Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Nairobi, Kenya; and NH Coimbra Dona Inês in Portugal’s central region.   With a greater choice of properties than ever, members were given more opportunities to earn and spend GHA DISCOVERY’s unique digital rewards currency, DISCOVERY Dollars (D$). There are now D$67 million in circulation (equal to US$67 million), with members most often seeking new hotels to experience when they redeem them.   This has ignited a cross-brand revenue surge to reach US$61 million in Q1, with the full-year forecast now upwardly revised to $260 million, up from $168 million in 2022, which was already 25% ahead of the 2019 number.   European members made the most D$ redemptions during Q1, followed by those residing in China and the UAE, and when D$ were redeemed on stays, those guests then spent 11 times the value of redemption, demonstrating the considerable revenue gains to the hotels where they were spent.   GHA DISCOVERY membership is rocketing too, with a significant 140% year-on-year rise in enrollments in Q1, demonstrating the growing appeal of a loyalty programme that reflects the expectations of today’s travellers.   “Our Q1 2023 results, which build on the remarkable growth we witnessed in 2022, not only prove that travel has well and truly recovered from the challenges of the pandemic, but demonstrate the strength of the GHA DISCOVERY proposition, which has successfully tapped into what today’s travellers seek from a loyalty programme – flexibility, value and choices that meet their travel and lifestyle needs,” said GHA CEO Chris Hartley.   “With new brands and hotels continuing to join the alliance, recognising the considerable business benefits that GHA DISCOVERY delivers, in particular unrivalled cross-brand revenue and market share gains, we are confident our Q1 performance will set the pace for the remainder of the year, with GHA in a strong position to leverage surging travel demand from key global markets.”   Please find images of new properties that joined GHA in Q1 2023 here   Please find a video of the new properties here   For more information visit Global Hotel Alliance and GHA DISCOVERY    GHA DISCOVERY is complimentary to join, and travellers can sign up online or download the GHA DISCOVERY app and register on their mobile phones. Travellers can also connect with GHA DISCOVERY on Instagram and Facebook.

  • South Africa selected following Sun International joining GHA in 2022
• Conference to highlight key trends influencing traveller mindsets in 2023
• GHA to reveal positive Q1 results with room revenue and room nights back to 2019 levels
• GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme has seen 79% hike in members from Africa since end of 2019   UAE-headquartered Global Hotel Alliance, the world’s largest alliance of independent hotels brands, is staging its annual CEO conference in South Africa for the first time, with the leaders of its 40 hotel brands representing 800 hotels in 100 countries gathering at Sun International’s The Table Bay Hotel from April 12th to 14th to discuss the positive global travel industry outlook in 2023.   The host location was selected after Sun International, headquartered in Johannesburg, and one of South Africa’s largest gaming and hospitality groups, joined GHA in 2022, providing the 24 million members of the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme expanded choice on the African continent, where today, GHA hotel brands operate 7,364 rooms across 57 hotels. Sun International’s portfolio enhanced the offering adding the flagship Sun City Resort, including The Palace of the Lost City, as well as leading luxury and lifestyle hotels such as The Table Bay in Cape Town and The Maslow Sandton, Johannesburg.   Graham Wood, COO of Sun International, said: “It is a privilege to host GHA’s hotel brand CEOs in South Africa and be part of the conversation highlighting global trends and performance in 2023. Since joining GHA, we have benefitted from the marketing and distribution power of GHA DISCOVERY, which has delivered an increase in business to our properties from new and existing markets, and from other GHA hotel brands, and we look forward to building on this momentum in the year ahead, as travel’s rebound accelerates.”   Q1 research conducted by GHA in 94 global markets has revealed four major trends influencing traveller mindsets in 2023, details of which CEO Chris Hartley will share and discuss with hotel brand CEOs in depth at this month’s conference to collectively identify the opportunities they present.   The research found consumers are increasingly making travel decisions based on new inspiration sources, such as TV series or social media while blended travel, such as remote work or tagging holidays onto business trips, is a trend that is here to stay. Against a backdrop of rising inflation, travellers want to make the most of their trips and expect quality in return for rising prices. Since the pandemic, there has been growth in celebratory trips and people are looking to make up for lost time with trips that will create moments and memories for themselves, with friends or with family members. New leisure travel genres are emerging too, from trips with positive impact and sabbaticals to subscription models, with consumers willing to pay for exclusive hotel benefits.   GHA’s CEO conference also reflected on the alliance’s bullish Q1 performance, with repeat-stay room revenue and room nights across now back to 2019 levels. International stays grew strongly from November 2022 onwards, with destinations leading the strong recovery in room revenue into Q1 2023 including Thailand, Maldives and the Caribbean. In terms of domestic and international stay room revenue, Thailand leads again followed by the UAE, Spain, Maldives and Singapore respectively.   Total GHA DISCOVERY revenue was over US$550 million in Q1, while cross-brand revenue hit US$61 million and is forecast to reach $260 million by the end of the year, up from $168 million in 2022.The success of GHA DISCOVERY’s digital rewards currency, DISCOVERY Dollars (D$), whereby members can earn D$ for their spend across the GHA network, to use on their next stay at any GHA hotel, has been a key growth driver, with GHA research revealing the most common occasion for using D$ is towards a holiday.   “Building on GHA’s stellar performance in 2022, the outlook for 2023 is even stronger, with Q1 figures revealing growth beyond pre-pandemic levels as travel demand accelerates and GHA DISCOVERY members fully leverage the loyalty programme’s many benefits across our growing portfolio of hotels,” said GHA CEO Chris Hartley.   There are opportunities for GHA DISCOVERY to tap into new travel trends deliver more business to our hotels, and it is always a pleasure to discuss this evolving hospitality landscape with our CEOs, who are some of the most respected leaders in the global hospitality sector.   He added: “With Africa being a key growth market for GHA, and now that Sun International is part of the alliance, it is fitting that we stage our event in South Africa to bring the potential of this region into focus.”   GHA DISCOVERY membership in South Africa has increased significantly since Sun International joined GHA, with numbers up 79% since the end of 2019. The top five member source markets for GHA properties in Africa are the US, South Africa, the UK, France and Russia.

  ● Green Collection features nearly 200 hotels from GHA DISCOVERY’s global portfolio
● It empowers GHA DISCOVERY’s 24 million members to make conscious and responsible travel choices
● Global Hotel Alliance to make a US$5 donation to charitable causes for every Green Collection hotel booking made via GHA DISCOVERY channels before 30th April 2023   UAE-based Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands, has launched its Green Collection, bringing under one umbrella nearly 200 hotels, resorts and palaces operated by GHA hotel brands that are demonstrating their commitment to protecting people and the planet.   Every Green Collection property has attained at least one certification from a globally recognised environmental organisation, with EarthCheck, Green Growth 2050, Green Key and Green Globe among the 15 leading certification bodies represented, and each requiring hotels to meet the highest international standards for sustainability initiatives and performance, with regular third- party audits conducted to retain certification.   Achieving certification demonstrates a hotel’s long-term pledge to upholding these standards, with each Green Collection property being a pioneer of practices that preserve the natural environment and benefit local communities in the destinations where they operate.   “Across GHA’s 800 properties from 40 brands, located in 100 countries around the globe, there are some world-class examples of practices and initiatives with a positive environmental and social impact, and we are incredibly proud of these efforts, which we celebrate with the launch of Green Collection,” said GHA CEO Chris Hartley.   “It also helps travellers, including the 24 million members of our GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme, to make more informed travel decisions based on their values and priorities, which today include hotel sustainability credentials and treading as lightly as possible in the destinations they visit.”   “By launching Green Collection, we are reiterating our alignment to the UN’s Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs), which guide the development of the hospitality industry for a more sustainable future,” Hartley added.   With 69% of travellers actively seeking sustainable travel options in 2023, according to a recent World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) report, Green Collection meets this accelerating demand, empowering the 24 million members of the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme to make conscious and responsible travel choices. In 2022, members demonstrated their preferencefor Green Collection hotels, which contributed to 32% in stays, 39% in nights, 47% in room revenue and 49% in total revenue.   Green Collection accounts for almost one-quarter (24%) of the GHA DISCOVERY portfolio and represents half of its brands, from mid-scale to high-end, including Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, Avani Hotels & Resorts, Capella Hotels & Resorts, Corinthia Hotels, Elewana Collection, GLO Hotels, JA Resorts & Hotels, Kempinski Hotels, Marco Polo Hotels, NH Hotels, NH Collection, nhow, Niccolo Hotels, Oaks Hotels Resorts & Suites, Pan Pacific Hotels & Resorts, Patina Hotels & Resorts, PARKROYAL COLLECTION, PARKROYAL, Sukhothai Hotels & Resorts, Outrigger Resorts & Hotels and The Set Collection.   From city hotels to beach resorts, the collection is geographically diverse and is present in 44 countries and 112 destinations, spanning every region. In the Middle East and North Africa, Green Collection properties account for half of the GHA DISCOVERY’s portfolio, while in Africa and Asia, it account for 37% and 36%, respectively.   Countries with the highest density of Green Collection hotels are the Netherlands with 31 properties (97% of GHA hotels in that country); Thailand with 16 hotels (52%); the UAE with 15 hotels (52%); China with 13 hotels (31%); Kenya with 10 hotels (77%); and Belgium and Argentina with 7 hotels (54% and 50%, respectively).   Many GHA brands have achieved certification for every property in their portfolio or are well on their way to attaining this goal, with examples including Elewana Collection, GLO Hotels, JA Resorts & Hotels, Kempinski Hotels, Capella Hotels & Resorts and Outrigger Resorts.   Properties in the Green Collection are taking action in line with Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC) guidelines, which encompass the implementation of effective sustainable planning; maximising social and economic benefits for local communities; enhancing the cultural heritage of destinations where they operate; and reducing negative environmental impact.   To celebrate the launch of the Green Collection, GHA DISCOVERY is giving back to the causes important to members and its hotel brands. For every Green Collection hotelbooking made on www.ghadiscovery.com or the GHA DISCOVERY mobile app before the end of April 2023 and completed by 31st July 2023, GHA will donate US$5 to the charities it supports as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility Programme, which includes Environmental Protection, Healthcare & Wellbeing, Children & Youth Programmes, and Animal Welfare.   “Social awareness and environmental sustainability are core values that GHA has embraced since its inception. Our overarching philosophy is to treat people and the planet with the utmost respect, creating a more resilient, equal, and sustainable global ecosystem, and the efforts of our Green Collection properties are a testament to this,” said Hartley.   “We are committed to ensuring GHA remains a favourite global brand in hospitality, not only trusted for the high-quality products and services we offer to our hotel brands and GHA DISCOVERY members, but the responsible approach we take to delivering them. The launch of Green Collection and our donation contribution are the first of many philanthropic elements we have planned in 2023, aligned to what customers and stakeholders now value most", he concluded.   Examples of Green Collection Hotels’ sustainability efforts:   PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore is the country’s first ‘garden-in a-hotel’, home to 2,400 trees, shrubs and groundcovers, which serve as natural air purifiers. Featuring 210 solar panels, an urban farm that supplies its spa and restaurants, an in-room filtered water system, and a double-glazed glass roof, the waste and energy reduction gains are significant. Some 51,300 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions were prevented by rejuvenating instead of rebuilding the hotel, so it received a BCA Green Mark Gold certification upon opening in 2020.   Every property in the Avani Hotels & Resorts portfolio must hold an independently audited Green Growth 2050 certification. As part of the brand’s effort to become a Net Zero Carbon organisation by 2050, it is introducing science-based targets for energy, carbon and water intensity, as well as pledging to cut organic waste to landfills in half in the next eight years. Avani has pledged to reduce the usage of single-use plastic by 75% by 2024, and every nature-based property will support long-term habitat or species conservation by 2023. Avani Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites and Avani Ibn Battuta Dubai Hotel have both been awarded the prestigious Green Growth 2050 certification for their sustainability practices, with Avani Palm View Dubai receiving Green Growth’s Platinum certification in recognition of its water and energy conservation programmes; aluminium-can, glass and cooking oil recycling; tree planting; and green public transport awareness campaign.   More than 36 Anantara properties globally have been awarded Green Growth 2050 certification based on GSTC-recognised hotel industry standards. Awards received by Anantara recognise excellence in human rights, child protection, employee protection, community development, environmental stewardship, and tourism ethics and sustainability. A few examples include Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort preserving the coral reefs protecting its beaches, and the marine life in the island’s lagoon, by initiating the Coral Adoption Programme, encouraging guests to take part by planting coral in a reef nursery, while The Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort in Chiang Rai, Thailand, supports the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, providing a home for elephants, mahouts and their families.   Kempinski Hotels aims to measure 100% of energy emissions across all properties by the end of this year and has set out to fully implement science-based targets for emissions reductions aligned with the Paris Agreement by the end of next year. The luxury hospitality firm is rolling out the EarthCheck Certified programme across its portfolio, with participating hotels actively monitoring and reporting the environmental and social impacts from their operations, including energy and water consumption, carbon footprint, waste generation, community engagement and more. Economic concerns addressed by EarthCheck include employment conditions, support for the local economy, use of fair-trade goods and services, and recognition of the seasonality of revenue streams. GHA’s Green Collection features 14 Kempinski hotels that are EarthCheck certified in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia.   Outrigger Hotels & Resorts was the first hospitality company in the state of Hawai‘i to commit to earning the prestigious Green Seal sustainability certification for its hotels and resorts, as well as the first hospitality brand to pursue the certification outside of the United States. Green Seal is the gold standard of global health and environmental leadership, and Outrigger has implemented science-based standards at properties including Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel, Castaway Island, Fiji and Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort.   Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel has been recognised as a sustainability leader with EarthCheck Gold Certified status, meeting performance targets regarding greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, social and cultural engagement, waste management and more. Recent initiatives include the restaurant serving sustainable dishes.   JA Resorts & Hotels is a leading pioneer on sustainable initiatives in the GCC region’s hospitality arena. Green practices include saving more than five million pieces of single-use plastic through on-property water bottling plants, composting food waste into soil residue which is then used in bio-farms across the Emirates, amongst other sustainability measures.   For more information on Green Collection, including the full list of globally recognised certifying bodies, and examples of how GHA hotel brands are making a difference, visit www.ghadiscovery.com/explore-green-collection.    

  •  Total revenue hits US$1.4 billion, a 60% increase over 2021, and ahead of 2019 by Q4
• Repeat stay revenue up almost 80% in Q4
• UAE takes top spot as most preferred stay destination in 2022, followed by Spain and Thailand
• Cross-brand revenue rockets to US$168 million in 2022, 25% ahead of 2019
• Strength of recovery reflects the impact of the new GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme, NH joining the alliance and bullish travel sentiment   UAE-headquartered Global Hotel Alliance, the world’s largest alliance of 40 independent hotels brands, has reported robust 2022 results, with every performance indicator exceeding 2019 levels by Q4 – an indication of travel’s full post-pandemic recovery.   Room revenue generated by the 23 million global members of the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme exceeded 2019 levels from mid-November onwards, driven by higher average daily rates (ADR), and soaring by 50% in the last two weeks of the year, while repeat stay room revenue was consistently ahead of 2019 levels from June onwards, up almost 80% by the end of 2022. Room nights, which had lagged behind earlier in the year, surpassed pre-pandemic levels by the end of Q4.   In contrast to 2021 when domestic stays dominated the travel mix due to pandemic related restrictions and concerns, international stays by GHA DISCOVERY members picked up significantly in 2022, accelerating in Q4 to surpass 2019 levels by 40% in the December holiday period, with Singapore, The Maldives, Thailand, Mexico and the Caribbean leading this recovery. Domestic stays exceeded 2019 figures throughout most of 2022.   With the percentage of revenue attributed to international stays stabilising at 70%, the same as in 2019, demand patterns are returning to the ‘old normal’, though leisure travel now dominates.   The UAE has retained its top spot as most preferred stay destination among members, delivering US$32 million in room revenue in Q4 alone and reflecting GHA’s growing presence in the country. With the recent opening of NH’s first hotel in this market, NH Collection Dubai The Palm, there are now 28 GHA properties in the UAE under nine brands.   Spain took second slot on the ‘Top 15 Countries for Stays’ list in Q4, generating $31 million in room revenue and indicating the success of Madrid-headquartered NH Hotel Group joining GHA in June 2022, bringing with it more than 350 hotels and 10 million loyalty programme members.   The top feeder markets in Q4 were the US, delivering $43 million in room revenue, with 80% of members in this market travelling internationally, reflecting the strength of the US dollar, followed by the UK ($28 million), Spain ($26 million), Germany ($24 million) and Australia ($19 million). China, which traditionally leads in outbound traffic, came in 6^th place with its domestic strength; but with travel restrictions now lifted, it could bounce back to number one in 2023.   With GHA DISCOVERY empowering members to earn and spend their digital rewards currency, DISCOVERY Dollars (D$), at any property globally, cross-brand revenue rocketed to $168 million in 2022, 25% ahead of 2019. Anantara, Kempinski and Pan Pacific Hotels Group took the lead in receiving and sending cross-brand revenues and NH Hotels contributed some $14 million revenue in stays to other brands after they joined mid-year.   Record growth was also buoyed by 1.6 million new GHA DISCOVERY member enrolments.   “GHA’s 2022 results are phenomenal, not only for our partner hotel brands, but for the global travel and tourism sector as a whole, with significant improvements across every key performance indicator pointing to a full industry recovery and perhaps the end to pre-pandemic comparisons at last,” said GHA CEO Chris Hartley.   “This rebound to levels exceeding the 2019 ‘old normal’ not only reveals a bullish travel sentiment, but the true power of GHA DISCOVERY, bolstered by new hotel brands and members coming on board and with the entire eco-system fully leveraging cross-brand stay opportunities, as the figures clearly reveal.”   He added: “The outlook for 2023 is incredibly positive as we capitalise on 2022’s gains and unleash the true potential of GHA DISCOVERY. With cross-brand revenue taking off, and millions of dollars of rewards in our customers’ virtual wallets, we have ambitious goals for driving this to new record heights to the benefit of members and brands alike.”   GHA’s robust 2022 results were supported by several milestones In addition to NH Hotels joining the alliance, Sun International, The Set Hotels and Palazzo Versace Dubai also came on board, collectively adding 358 new hotels and 21 new cities, taking the total to more than 800 properties from 40-plus brands in 100 countries.   GHA DISCOVERY issued D$72 million (with D$1 worth US$1), and with 2 out of 3 redemptions being at a new hotel, the cross-brand revenue potential in 2023 is clear, especially since GHA brands are themselves expanding further, with plans to add up to 100 hotels between now and the end of 2024.   GHA also entered into a strategic partnership with ASMALLWORLD, the world’s leading travel and lifestyle community, with both companies becoming shareholders in each other’s businesses. GHA DISCOVERY elite members enjoy all the benefits of the ASMALLWORLD network, including events and experiences, and ASMALLWORLD members gain elite status in GHA DISCOVERY, driving more value to both programmes and more stays at GHA hotels.   “2022 was packed with landmark moments for GHA, underlined by strategic partnerships that strengthened our position as the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands with an innovative loyalty programme at its heart,” said Chris Hartley. “This paves the way for continued growth in 2023 as we look to expand our ecosystem with like-minded partners for mutual gain.