<p>InterContinental Hotels signalled its pandemic-driven troubles were far from over as repeated Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns forced the Holiday Inn-owner to cancel its final dividend and book an annual loss on Tuesday.</p>.<p>The company, whose brands include the Crowne Plaza, Regent and Hualuxe hotel chains, said 2020 was the most challenging year in its history as it reported a 52.5% drop in revenue per available room for the year.</p>.<p>Pinning its hopes on the global roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines and easing restrictions, IHG said the industry was unlikely to see a recovery until later in the year as global travel and entertainment spending remain severely limited by government curbs.</p>.<p>"2021 has begun with many of these challenges still in place," Chief Executive Officer Keith Barr said.</p>.<p>The company reported a group operating loss of $153 million for the year ended Dec. 31, compared with a profit of $630 million last year. </p>
<p>InterContinental Hotels signalled its pandemic-driven troubles were far from over as repeated Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns forced the Holiday Inn-owner to cancel its final dividend and book an annual loss on Tuesday.</p>.<p>The company, whose brands include the Crowne Plaza, Regent and Hualuxe hotel chains, said 2020 was the most challenging year in its history as it reported a 52.5% drop in revenue per available room for the year.</p>.<p>Pinning its hopes on the global roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines and easing restrictions, IHG said the industry was unlikely to see a recovery until later in the year as global travel and entertainment spending remain severely limited by government curbs.</p>.<p>"2021 has begun with many of these challenges still in place," Chief Executive Officer Keith Barr said.</p>.<p>The company reported a group operating loss of $153 million for the year ended Dec. 31, compared with a profit of $630 million last year. </p>