Major Hotel Groups Hold on to Global Ranking

The 2006 edition of the ranking of the top-10 hotel groups worldwide marks a turnaround in the development of the supply of the biggest hotel companies.

While the top 10 groups showed 1.2 percent growth in their supplies at the beginning of 2005, this growth is up by 6.9 percent at the beginning of 2006.

After several years of moderation, the giants of the hotel industry worldwide (68 percent of hotel chains worldwide last year) have shifted into high gear.

Number one worldwide for the third consecutive year, InterContinental, showed more modest growth of 0.9 percent.

Cendant, the runner-up, took over the management of the brand Wyndham, growing the group´s supply by 2.2 percent.

Hilton Corp. moved up from the 6th to 5th rung worldwide, close behind Accor (2.6 percent spike) and Marriott (3.6 percent hike), the 3rd and 4th groups worldwide.

The franchiser Choice progressed (up 3.4 percent) but slipped down a rung. Best Western, meanwhile, regained the forward march (up 2.5 percent) after several years of consolidating its supply.

The rest of the top-10 elite is made up of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Carlson Hospitality, Le Meridien and Hyatt.