Europe's largest hotel group Accor reported higher-than-expected growth in gross operating profit (EBITDA) on Thursday, breaking the historic billion-euro barrier for the first time, buoyed by solid performances across all its markets.

The operator of the Ibis and Novotel brands posted a 49% increase in EBITDA to 1 billion euros in 2023, compared with the 986 million euros expected in an analyst survey conducted by the company.

The group said in a statement that 2024 would be "rich in major international events that should continue to fuel growth", adding that it had begun the year with confidence despite a complex geopolitical context. (Reported by Diana Mandiá in Gdansk; French version Stéphanie Hamel, edited by Kate Entringer)