UK-based IHG has the largest number of rooms in Latin America, followed by Sol Melia from Spain.
BY LBC STAFF
UK-based InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is the top hotel chain in Latin America, measured by total rooms in the region, according to a Latin Trade survey of data for 10 leading hotel chains. IHG had a total of 31,782 rooms in Latin America at the end of 2010.
“We are very pleased to be noted in Latin Trade magazine’s Top Hotel Chains in Latin America rankings,” says Alvaro Diago, Chief Operating Officer, Latin America & Caribbean for IHG - InterContinental Hotels Group. “IHG in essence ‘birthed’ the concept of international hotels in the region, with the first InterContinental hotel opening in 1946. We’ve been in Latin America ever since, and while extremely proud of our heritage, we look forward to our continued growth and expansion.”
France-based Accor came in second, with 28,634 rooms, while Spain-based Sol Melia came in third, with 22,000 rooms.
Marriott International is the leading US hotel chain in Latin America, with 17,000 rooms. Other major hotel chains in Latin America include Wyndham Hotel Group (14,200 rooms), Starwood Hotels & Resorts (12,753 rooms), Hilton Worldwide (9,159 rooms) and Carlos Hotels Worldwide (6,956 rooms).
The Spanish hotels rank particularly well in Latin America compared with their overall global ranking, Latin Trade shows. Sol Melia, for example, ranks 8th worldwide, but second in Latin America. Riu Hotels & Resorts ranks 10th worldwide, but 5th in Latin America. Barcelo Hotels & Resorts ranks 9th worldwide, but sixth in Latin America.
All in all, the top ten hotel chains in Latin America had a total of 171,490 rooms in Latin America as of December 31, 2010.
As a result of the growing economies, the hotel chains plan to expand significantly in Latin America the next few years. In Brazil alone, chains expect strong demand from the 2014 World Cup in soccer and 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Latin Trade reports. Rio has about 25,000 hotel rooms that meet International Olympic Committee standards. By 2015, the hotel sector expects to have 34,000 rooms ready, according to SindRio, a syndicate of hotel, bars and restaurants.
Latin America’s Top Hotels
Rank | Rank | Hotel | LatAm |
LatAm | Global | Chain | Rooms |
| | | |
1 | 1 | InterContinental Hotels Group | 31,782 |
2 | 5 | Accor Hospitality | 28,634 |
3 | 8 | Sol Meliá | 22,000 |
4 | 2 | Marriott International | 17,000 |
5 | 10 | Riu Hotels & Resorts | 14,653 |
6 | 9 | Barceló Hotels & Resorts | 14,353 |
7 | 3 | Wyndham Hotel Group | 14,200 |
8 | 6 | Starwood Hotels & Resorts | 12,753 |
9 | 4 | Hilton Worldwide | 9,159 |
10 | 7 | Carlson Hotels Worldwide | 6,956 |
| | Total | 171,490 |
Source: Latin Trade
