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Asia-Pacific
Thai Hotels Association Warns Regulations Will Hurt Tourism
The Thai Hotels Association (THA) expresses concerns about new regulations that exclude accommodations with up to eight rooms and 30 guests from the hotel business, anticipating a 15% to 20% loss in tourism revenue and increased safety risks. The THA believes these regulations have more disadvantages than benefits, while the Tourism Council of Thailand supports them. Speculation grows regarding the legalization of casino gambling in Thailand within three years, attracting international and regional operators. The text emphasizes the importance of the government’s approach to legalization, as it could affect investor interest, citing examples from other countries like Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan. New World Hotels & Resorts, an upper-upscale hotel brand under Rosewood Hotel Group, is actively expanding in Asia. They plan to have 18 operating hotels by the end of the year, with two more opening in 2024. The brand is entering various markets, including Mainland China, Vietnam, and Japan. -
North America
San Francisco Hotels May Defy the Pessimists in 2024
Truist reported on its visit to San Francisco for the Visit Impact Summit. The good news is that the fall 2023 events are showing improvement. Marriott International announced the completion of a recent redesign and renovation to the 146-room Courtyard by Marriott Denver Central Park in Denver, Colorado . Airbnb stock received a big lift with the announcement of its inclusion in the S&P 500 . -
North America
The Sortis Acquisition of Ace Hotel Is Ongoing Saga
DJIA fell 169 points in August; Nasdaq rose 16; S&P 500 down 7. Travel intent increases: 21.8% plan foreign trips, 45.9% plan vacations. Hotel developments: New AC Hotel in Lansing, Sheraton San Diego rebranded as Sheraton Resort & Marina, TRS Coral Hotel added to Wyndham’s Registry Collection. Upcoming: Highgate manages Hilton Garden Inn Kauai, IHG’s Atwell Suites in Henderson and Fort Worth, proposed dual-tower project near Austin Convention Center. -
North America
Global Hotel Construction Sees Upscale Domination in Q2 ’23 With Hilton and Marriott Leading
Q2 ’23 saw 14,572 global hotel projects. Luxury and upscale chains dominate, led by Hilton, Marriott, and IHG. Urban hotels lag in post-pandemic recovery compared to resorts and suburban counterparts, with rate management playing a vital role. Notable new hotels, rebranding, and appointments are taking place, with Hilton, Riu Caribe, Choice Hotels, and Sonder making moves. London’s Broadwick Soho hotel is set to open with unique additions. -
North America
Speculation Blooms After Hersha Hospitality/KSL Deal
DJIA, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 all experienced gains, while 10-year treasury yield decreased. Lodging stocks surged, led by lodging REITs AINC and ABNB, potentially narrowing the gap between NAV and stock prices. Lodging Dynamics Hospitality Group takes over management of Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites in Los Angeles. Manhattan’s Park Lane Hotel sold to Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund. Wingate by Wyndham near LAX sold to Greens Group. IHG announces new Crowne Plaza in Saint John, New Brunswick. Kintetsu Group plans new hotel in Plano, Texas. Choice Hotels breaks ground on Cambria Hotel in East Tampa, Florida. Evans’ Tempo by Hilton project falls apart. Philadelphia’s former Family Court building to be transformed into a boutique hotel with an African American Museum nearby. East Bay Resort rebrands as Salterra Resort and Spa in Turks and Caicos after major renovation. -
Asia-Pacific
Asia Pacific Hotel Pipeline Hits All-Time High
In Q2 2023, the Asia Pacific hotel construction pipeline reached a record high of 1,936 projects with 401,766 rooms. Luxury, upper upscale, and upscale projects dominated the pipeline. Countries with the largest pipelines are India, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Japan. Macau has surpassed Hong Kong as the preferred travel destination for mainland Chinese travelers in 2023, receiving nearly twice as many visitors. Around 50.9% of outbound Chinese travelers chose Macau, while Hong Kong received about 26.7%. Mainland Chinese tourists prefer destinations in East Asia and Southeast Asia. Accor is expanding its hotel offerings. They are introducing the Handwritten Collection in Thailand with the Andaman Beach Hotel Phuket, opening a Mercure hotel in Lucknow, India, and launching Lords Inn hotels in Jamnagar, Gujarat, and Kanki, West Bengal. Accor has also partnered with Reliance Industries and Renest Hotels & Resorts for new properties. -
North America
KSL to Take Hersha Hospitality Private in $1.4 Billion Deal
DJIA gained 213 points, Nasdaq increased by 114 points, and S&P 500 rose 28 points; 10-year treasury yield decreased by 0.03 to 4.21%. Lodging stocks surged on Hersha Hospitality buyout news, particularly REITs: HT up 56%, BHR up 16%, AHT up 10%, others up 6% each, while AINC traded down -9%. Hersha Hospitality Trust and KSL Capital Partners will merge in an all-cash deal worth $1.4 billion, where common shareholders receive $10.00 per share and preferred shareholders receive varying amounts based on their holdings. The merger aims to close in Q4 2023, leading to a rally in hotel REIT stocks. Major US and Chinese hotel groups have strengthened post-pandemic, while Europe lags behind. Marriott, Jin Jiang, and Hilton lead the world hotel ranking, with only one European representative (Accor). US has six companies in top 10, China has three, and Spanish companies see shifts in their rankings. -
Asia-Pacific
Hilton to More Than Double Its Luxury Hotels in Asia Pacific
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 generated $2.98 billion in travel and retail spending in NSW, boosting the economy and drawing record audiences to hospitality venues. Hilton plans to open 25 new luxury hotels in the Asia Pacific region, including its Waldorf Astoria brand in countries like Malaysia, Vietnam, and India. Hotel Properties received approval for a S$1-2 billion project to redevelop prime properties on Orchard Road. The redevelopment includes twin skyscrapers, retail, office, residential spaces, and a performance theater, making it Orchard Road’s largest property redevelopment. -
North America
Deer Valley Resort Announces Massive Terrain Expansion and Village Development Plan
-Stock market saw gains: DJIA up 247, Nasdaq up 127, S&P 500 up 29. Various hotel reopenings and renovations, including The Hadsten Solvang and The Woodlands Resort. New hotel projects and expansions, such as Deer Valley Resort and Canopy by Hilton Cannes. -
North America
Canadian Hotels Enjoy Record Average Daily Rates
DJIA, Nasdaq down; S&P 500 fell; 10-year treasury yield up. Hotel Trends: Global RevPAR growth; Canada’s record ADR and RevPAR; mixed occupancy rates. Developments: Hotel expansions, renovations; Hyatt Vacation Club launch; new CEOs, brand in Croatia.