According to CoinMeta, the global hospitality giant IHG stated that although the conflicts in the Middle East have affected the global tourism market, "the growth of the middle class" has driven demand for hotels. The company reported that in the first half of 2026, operating profits in its reportable segments increased by 10% to $665 million, revenue grew by 7% to $1.3 billion, and global per-available-room revenue (RevPAR) increased by 4.1%. Although RevPAR grew by 4.4% in the first quarter, the growth rate slowed to 3.5% in the second quarter. The CEO of IHG, Elie Maalouf, said that consumers' strong preference for experience has driven demand, especially in the US, Asia-Pacific, and European markets. The Middle East region accounts for about 5% of IHG's business.