Image: GHA
Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the Dubai-based collective of independent hotel brands, reported solid growth in H1 2025, fuelled by a surge in international travel and a strong Q2 performance.
Revenues for the group’s member hotels reached $1.5bn for the six months ending June 30, up 17 per cent year-on-year from $1.3bn in H1 2024.
International stays, which continue to form the backbone of GHA’s business, accounted for 70 per cent of room revenues, climbing 21 per cent year-on-year to $810m.
The group noted that the United States remained the top source market for international bookings, contributing 15 per cent of all room revenues.
The UK, Germany, China and Australia followed as key feeder markets.
The most popular destinations for GHA DISCOVERY loyalty members in H1 were led by the UAE, followed by Thailand, Spain, Singapore and Italy.
GHA’s 850-plus properties also saw strong Q2 performance, which supported the positive H1 results.
Hotel revenues rose 18 per cent year-on-year in Q2, while room nights increased by 19 per cent.
Countries with the highest average daily rates during the quarter included the Maldives, the UK, Japan and Fiji.
Cross-brand revenues – generated when members stay at hotels outside their primary brand – rose 18 per cent in Q2 to $94.7m, contributing to a total of $188.8m for the first half of the year, up 15 per cent from H1 2024.
Direct bookings through GHA’s digital platforms increased by 19 per cent in H1, a gain that helps member hotels reduce reliance on third-party platforms with higher commission costs.
Global Hotel Alliance’s loyalty programme sees 16 per cent YoY rise
The group’s loyalty programme, GHA DISCOVERY, passed a major milestone in the second quarter, reaching 30.9 million members after a 16 per cent year-on-year increase in new enrolments.
Use of the programme’s rewards currency, DISCOVERY Dollars (D$), also surged, with redemptions jumping 61 per cent in Q2 compared to the same period last year.
GHA added 48 new properties to its portfolio in the first six months of 2025, including hotels from newly joined brands such as Cheval Collection and Cinnamon Hotels. The expansion reinforces GHA’s presence across Asia, the UK and the Middle East.
“With demand for international travel continuing to rise, our hotel brands are reaping the benefit of belonging to a truly global alliance. GHA DISCOVERY members are travelling further, staying longer, and booking directly, driving hotel profitability across our portfolio,” said Chris Hartley, CEO of Global Hotel Alliance.
“These results reflect the trust members place in GHA DISCOVERY and the strength of collaboration across our expanding network of brands and hotels. Even amid ongoing market uncertainty, the momentum we’ve built – supported by new brands and hotels joining the alliance – positions us well for a strong and resilient second half of the year,” he added.
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