InterContinental Hotels Group reported a $219 million operating profit for the six months through June

compared with $179 million the year before. "With business travelers returning in greater numbers," room rates are "now stabilizing across the world, with most markets seeing rate growth towards the end of the first half," according to CEO Andrew Cosslett. Second quarter average daily rate fell 1.3 percent to $97.55 in the Americas, increased 0.6 percent to $135.25 in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and rose 1.9 percent to $104.70 in Asia-Pacific.