Kim Woinski

US stock indexes rose slightly on Friday, but lodging stocks were mixed with SOND surging 23% after a downgrade of Park Hotels & Resorts by ISI Evercore Group. Chicago broke hotel occupancy records last weekend thanks to Taylor Swift concerts and other events, generating more than $39 million in hotel revenue. Marriott International announced its first-ever all-inclusive resort in Cancun, expected to open in 2024, and JW Marriott Mexico City completed renovations of its guestrooms and suites, with more upgrades to come by 2023.

Stock market sees mixed performance, with DJIA and Nasdaq rising while lodging stocks show mixed results. Wells Fargo initiates coverage on Airbnb with an Underweight rating. Significant developments in the hotel industry, including new hotel projects in Ann Arbor, Ottawa, Mexico City, and Portland, as well as the restoration of Book Tower in Detroit.

Hotel industry experiences mixed stock market performance, with DJIA rising while NASDAQ and S&P 500 show declines. Renovations and upgrades abound, with notable projects including the multimillion-dollar renovations of Houston Marriott South and Homewood Suites by Hilton New Orleans. Exciting developments on the horizon, such as the opening of Raffles Boston and the planned multimillion-dollar mixed-use project by Beck Ventures in Midtown Dallas.

The hospitality industry is experiencing optimism and cautiousness, with hotels considering divesting assets and anticipating a potential distressed sale boom. Hoteliers are optimistic about increasing demand, but face challenges such as high-interest rates, labor shortages, and decreased construction activity. The U.S. hotel forecast shows improvements in occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR, while hotels are offering incentives to combat staffing shortages. International visitor arrivals to the U.S. continue to rise, with Mexico and Canada leading the way.

Marriott International, Sonesta International Hotel Corporation, and Pyramid Global Hospitality , announced plans for expansion and introduced new brands in different locations, including Latin America, Canada, and several U.S. states. Accor highlighted the progress of its branded residences business, with numerous projects under development worldwide, including Dubai, Australia, and South Korea. The Plasencia Group facilitated the sale of The Westin Tampa Bay, and Dan Hansen returned from retirement to lead Hyatt's new mid-market extended-stay brand, Hyatt Studios, with a significant development pipeline.

Market surge: DJIA and Nasdaq experience significant gains, with the DJIA surging 701 points and the stronger-than-expected jobs report contributing to the rise. Airbnb lawsuit: Airbnb files a lawsuit against New York City over a new law that the company claims will limit short-term rentals and make it more difficult for hosts to do business. Hotel openings and acquisitions: Several hotel brands announce new openings and acquisitions, including WoodSpring Suites, Sonesta, and Margaritaville, expanding their presence in different cities and states.

Stock market indices experienced gains, with DJIA, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 rising while the 10-year treasury yield decreased. Truist's RevPAR Monitor highlighted positive and negative trends in the hotel industry, including the recovery of group travel and sluggish corporate individual business/transient segment. Various hotel-related announcements were made, including the launch of IHG's Wi-Fi Auto Connect feature, expansion of Saks Fifth Avenue's personal shopping service to luxury resorts, and the opening of new hotels by Hyatt, IHG, Palisociety, and others.

STR's global report reveals positive RevPAR growth in most markets, with notable gains in occupancy, particularly surpassing 2019 levels in half of all markets. Israel, Singapore, Greece, Italy, and Ireland emerge as top performers in terms of RevPAR among countries with over 50,000 rooms, indicating strong tourism and hotel demand. Summer approaches with rising occupancy rates in 40 out of 48 countries , signaling a promising season for the hospitality industry worldwide. However, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia experience significant declines in RevPAR compared to 2019.

Hotel industry updates: Canadian hotel RevPAR exceeds C$100 for third consecutive month, with Manitoba and Vancouver leading in occupancy rates. Renovations and expansions: Knoxville, Tennessee plans to add 350 hotel rooms, while a $12 million extended-stay hotel is set to open in Maryland Heights, Missouri. Company announcements: Hyatt Place Melbourne Airport opens in Florida, while LVMH scraps luxury hotel plans in Beverly Hills.

Hotel industry news: Renovations, expansions, and openings across various cities, states, and countries. Notable updates include the completion of a multi-million-dollar renovation at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa in Georgia. Exciting developments include the opening of the first fully Pixar-themed hotel, Pixar Place Hotel, in Anaheim, California, and the debut of Six Senses Crans-Montana in Switzerland.