• The results contain no surprises as they reflect the almost global paralysis of demand due to virus outbreaks and travel restrictions
  • The continued presence of the pandemic in the first quarter of 2021 had an impact on the business which was almost identical to the previous quarter
  • The company has begun to reopen its large resort hotels and is fine-tuning its recovery plan and prioritising health and safety through the Stay Safe With Meliá programme
  • Satisfactory growth in bookings for Spanish resort hotels combined with a strong tendency to book at the last minute

(*) The comparison with the previous year is biased as the first quarter of 2020 was not affected by the impact of the pandemic until March 15.

— Source: Melia— Source: Melia
— Source: Melia

Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, Executive Vice President and CEO of Meliá Hotels International: “The results of the first quarter contain no surprises given the stagnation in demand created by a third wave of the pandemic that came before having achieved immunity in most countries. Our company therefore maintained the activation of its Contingency Plan, guaranteeing the required levels of liquidity and reducing operating expenses by 54.2% over the period, at the same time ramping up our digitalisation, the implementation of a new operating model, and progress with our ESG strategy."

"However, we remain optimistic about the next few months, in which, with the greatest degree of prudence and respect for health and safety recommendations, we expect to return to near-normal levels in resort hotels. Along with progress with vaccinations in key markets and travel destinations (at least with the first dose), the key to recovery in the upcoming summer season will undoubtedly be the implementation of reliable, standardised digital health control and coordination systems."

"We are confident that the strong upturn in demand we have already seen from the US market to the Caribbean, thanks to an efficient vaccination programme and the prioritisation of health measures in destinations such as the Dominican Republic and Mexico, will lead the way in a reactivation that is also beginning to be seen in other markets and destinations and will form the basis of a solid and consistent recovery, which Meliá will be in a position to lead thanks to the competitive advantage provided by its direct channels."

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About Melia Hotels International

Founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International has more than 400 hotels open or in the process of opening in more than 40 countries, and a portfolio of nine brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and Affiliated by Meliá. The Company is one of the world's leading hotel chains in the leisure segment and its experience in this area has allowed it to consolidate itself in the growing market of urban hotels inspired by leisure. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led it to be recognised as the most sustainable European hotel company according to S&P Global's Sustainability Yearbook 2024, as well as being a "Top Employer 2024" brand in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Italy, Germany, France and Vietnam. Meliá Hotels International is also part of the IBEX 35. For more information, please visit www.meliahotelsinternational.com