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American visitor arrivals to Japan increased by 3.6% in the first four months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2019, making the U.S. the only Western nation, apart from Mexico, to experience a rise in tourism to Japan. Hongkong Land unveiled its $8 billion Shanghai West Bund Financial Hub project, which will include office buildings, luxury residential apartments, hotels, a public art center, and retail spaces. The development will be completed in three phases by 2027, and Hongkong Land plans to roll out 10 new developments in China in the next five years. Macau Legend Development announced its intention to sell its Laos gaming operation for $45 million to a Japanese citizen, as the company has faced financial difficulties and its owner has been arrested. After the sale, Macau Legend will have remaining plans to build a hotel and casino in Cape Verde.

Stock market performance: DJIA and lodging stocks showed mixed results, while Nasdaq and S&P 500 experienced gains. Hotel openings and renovations: New hotels and renovated properties were announced by various companies, including Wyndham Hotels, Hyatt Hotels, Candlewood Suites, and Knott's Berry Farm Hotel. Business updates: Remington Hotels promoted Keith Oltchick to Chief Development Officer, Hunter Hotel Advisors facilitated the sale of Hilton-branded assets, and Wyndham Hotels completed the refinancing of its Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility. Additionally, Mandarin Oriental revealed plans for a new hotel and residences in Athens, Greece.

NewcrestImage has plans to acquire more than 100 hotels this year , reported CoStar. So far in 2023, the company has finalized its purchase of a 45-hotel portfolio in 11 states. Key International and Shaner Hotels announced the grand opening of the 156-suite SpringHill Suites by Marriott Jacksonville Beach Oceanfront in Florida . Midas Hospitality announced the opening of the 170-room Residence Inn by Marriott , the first hotel to be built in Clayton, Missouri, in 30 years.

Deutsche Bank issued a report, commenting on what they think the trading action in gaming and lodging stocks are telling them. Jefferies believes the primary issue affecting stock prices in the group the past week is the banking crisis, notably the pressure on regional banks and its prospective prospective impact on financing of new properties. Most economists agree the U.S. will experience a recession to some degree in 2023, but hotel industry analysts say sustainable job growth, strong hotel rates and demand, and the yet-unrealized wave of international travelers will help the industry keep its head above water.

Malaysia reopened its borders nearly a year ago and finally its hotel industry is getting back to pre-pandemic occupancy levels. The resort island of Phuket in Thailand has seen a surge of Russian travelers in the high season. That adds to a jump in regional visitation from India , Malaysia and Singapore . Reuters published an article on how the belief that airline stocks and online travel agencies would be the best Chinese travel reopening play was wrong.

The DJIA  fell 392 points but Nasdaq was up 16, the S&P 500 rose 8 points and the 10-year treasury yield was up .02 to 3.54%. Lodging stocks were modestly higher with no major movers. Investment firm Sortis agreed to acquire Ace Group International for $85 million . The all-cash deal will give Sortis the boutique Ace Hotels brand and its hotel management company. International visitors spent more than $15.9 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the United States , an increase of nearly 57% compared to November 2021

The DJIA rose 701 points on Friday while Nasdaq was up 264, the S&P 500 rose 87 points and the 10 year treasury yield was down .15 to 3.57% Braemar Hotels & Resorts Inc. expects to report occupancy of approximately 64% for the fourth quarter of 2022 with an ADR of approximately $469 resulting in RevPAR of approximately $301. Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. expects to report occupancy of approximately 68% for the fourth quarter of 2022 with an ADR of approximately $175 resulting in RevPAR of approximately $118.

Adelaide hosting the Australian Football League’s Gather Round and LIV Golf in April 2023 has resulted in a boost in the market’s hotel occupancy on the books. 35.7% of Americans surveyed are aware that Japan is now open for travel with Asian Americans at 57% and 41.3% of those living in Western US. BWH Hotels Group said they are continually expanding with six new signings of properties in Pakistan and Vietnam .

The DJIA fell 91 points, Nasdaq was down 53, the S&P 500 fell 25 points and the 10-year treasury yield rose another .10 to 4.23%. Truist believes the companies most likely to see the greatest degree of earnings outperformance this 3Q earnings season will be those with the highest exposure to the group segment. A new survey from the Hospitality Asset Managers Association painted a somewhat rosy picture for the industry.

The markets brightened their mood somewhat on Wednesday. The  DJIA rose 1.89%, Nasdaq was up 2.05%, the S&P 500 climbed 1.96% and the 10-year treasury yield had its steepest one-day drop since March 2009. STR reported US lodging data for the week ended 9/24. Hotel RevPAR was up 30.3% year over year while up 13.7% when compared with the same week in 2019. Dajia Insurance Group Co has put three hotels in the US up for sale, hoping to generate US$1.3 billion to take advantage of an expected surge in leisure travel and resort business.