Core Insights - H World Group Limited has entered the Laotian market by signing four hotel management agreements, marking a significant step in its international growth strategy and expansion in Southeast Asia [1][3][4] Company Expansion - The signing ceremony took place in Vientiane, Laos, on May 29, 2025, and represents H World's first entry into the country, aligning with its "asset-light and internationalization" strategy [1][3] - The new properties will be developed in collaboration with three investment partners: Lao Kunpeng Industrial Co., Ltd., Yuting Hotel Investment Management Co., Ltd., and KP Construction Sole Co., Ltd. [2][4] Project Details - The four hotels will feature H World's core upper-midscale and midscale brands, located in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, which are major tourist destinations [4] - Specific hotel projects include: - Intercity Hotel Vientiane, opening in early 2026, near Wattay International Airport [7] - Intercity Hotel Luang Prabang, expected to open in 2027, located in the historic city center [7] - JI Hotel Vientiane Mekong Riverside, set to open in early 2026, along the Mekong River [7] - Orange Hotel Vientiane International Airport, expected to open in Q3 2026, marking the brand's global debut outside China [7] Market Context - In 2024, Laos saw over 1.97 million international tourists, a more than threefold increase year-on-year, with Chinese tourists making up over 60% of the visitors [5]

Core Viewpoint - H World Group Limited reported its unaudited financial results for Q1 2025, showing a year-over-year revenue increase of 2.2% to RMB5.4 billion (US$744 million) and a significant net income growth of 35.7% to RMB894 million (US$123 million) [4][21][22]. Financial Performance - Total hotel turnover increased by 14.3% year-over-year to RMB22.5 billion in Q1 2025, with a 15.3% increase excluding Legacy-DH [4]. - Revenue from manachised and franchised hotels rose by 21.1% year-over-year to RMB2.5 billion (US$344 million) [12]. - Revenue from the Legacy-Huazhu segment was RMB4.5 billion, a 5.5% year-over-year increase, while the Legacy-DH segment saw a decline of 11.3% to RMB918 million [4][9]. Operational Highlights - As of March 31, 2025, H World operated 11,685 hotels with 1,142,158 rooms, including 11,564 hotels from Legacy-Huazhu and 121 from Legacy-DH [2][37]. - The company opened 694 hotels in Q1 2025, contributing to a total of 2,888 hotels in the pipeline [2][8]. - The average daily room rate (ADR) for Legacy-Huazhu hotels was RMB272, with an occupancy rate of 76.2% [5][6]. Cost and Expenses - Total operating costs and expenses in Q1 2025 were RMB4.4 billion, reflecting a slight increase of 0.5% year-over-year [14]. - Hotel operating costs were RMB3.6 billion, a 1.1% year-over-year increase, primarily due to a 4.2% increase in Legacy-Huazhu costs [14]. Cash Flow and Debt - Operating cash inflow for Q1 2025 was RMB580 million (US$80 million), while investing cash inflow was RMB757 million (US$103 million) [24]. - As of March 31, 2025, the company had total cash and cash equivalents of RMB8.2 billion (US$1.1 billion) and total debt of RMB5.3 billion (US$726 million) [25][24]. Future Guidance - For Q2 2025, H World expects revenue growth in the range of 1%-5%, or 3%-7% excluding Legacy-DH, with manachised and franchised revenue growth anticipated at 18%-22% [26].

SHANGHAI, May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- H World Group Limited (NASDAQ: HTHT) (HK: 01179) announced that during the 2025 May Day holiday, hotels under its brands received nearly 6.3 million guests, representing a 30% increase compared to the same period last year. According to the statistics from China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, during the five-day holiday, there were 314 million domestic trips made in China, reflecting a 6.4% year-on-year increase. Total domestic tourism spending reached 180.27 billio ...