Branded Hotels Put Development On Hold In Russia Amid War Crisis

Many prominent hotel corporations including Hyatt, Hilton, IHG Hotels and Resorts, Marriott International and Accor have placed their expansion projects in Russia on hold in response to the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

However, the firms will continue to examine hotel operations in Russia and assist hotel staff and visitors. Amid the continuing conflict in Ukraine, Hilton and IHG have made press statements. Both firms have closed their operations in Moscow, and IHG has taken steps to prevent any fresh developments or openings in the nation.

Hilton Companies continues to assist its workers by paying salaries for employees and giving any revenues from business activities in Russia to humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine.

Furthermore, the French Group Accor has ceased all development projects and loyalty programs with Russian enterprises, but will continue to run more than 50 hotels in the country.

Similarly Marriott Hotels also made a similar decision to halt new developments and stated, “Our Hotels in Russia are owned by third parties and we continue to evaluate the ability for these hotels to remain open.”

Hyatt Hotels Corp. issued a statement: “We have decided to suspend our development activities and any new investments in Russia, effective immediately. We will continue to evaluate hotel operations in Russia while complying with applicable sanctions and U.S. government directives as we hope for a resolution to this crisis. Understanding that many people in Russia face challenges and uncertainty about their future as well, we are determining how best to support and care for our hotel colleagues and current guests in the country.”