This year, ibis, the world’s best known economy hotel brand, celebrates its 50th anniversary. ibis was established in 1974 on three core promises: affordability, innovation and quality. Democratising travel and hospitality, it was the first hotel brand in Europe to make a high quality, comfortable night's stay accessible to all. Today ibis is the leading global economy hotel brand, with more than 2,500 locations in 79 countries across the three brands: ibis, ibis Styles and ibis budget. Continuing to break new ground with a pipeline of over 320 hotels, ibis brands will continue to expand its presence to new markets in 2024 and beyond, marking its 50th anniversary by opening into its 80th country by the end of the year, with the launch of the ibis Styles Reykjavik Muli in Iceland.

In recognition of 50 years of market leadership and hospitality for all, this year ibis will launch a new brand culture program, global employee ambassadorship and brand campaign, doubling down on the brand’s founding principles and reminding the world that ibis is the market leader and a brand to love because of its people.

Europe’s first economy hospitality brand opened its first hotel in Bordeaux in 1974. The brand grew quickly, first in Europe, then worldwide, proving that hotels could serve guests with standardised quality, great design, consistency and reliability, at an affordable price. Welcoming all travellers, ibis led the way in making a comfortable and quality night’s stay accessible to all, reinforcing this promise with the launch of the innovative Sweet BedTM, which we find today in ibis properties around the world. The ibis network grew at a fast pace as a trailblazer of standardisation, revolutionising international travel by ensuring travellers could enjoy the reassurance of familiarity in ‘foreign’ travel.