Hunter Hotel Advisors

North America

Business Travel Close to a Full Recovery

JP Morgan downgraded IHG Hotels & Resorts from Neutral to Underweight, favoring Premier Inn owner Whitbread in the European hotels sector. Canada has 275 hotel construction projects with 37,780 rooms in its pipeline, with 22 new projects announced in Q3. Ontario leads with 160 projects, and Toronto has the most projects with 61. A total of 16 new hotels opened in the first three quarters of 2023, with more expected in the last quarter and beyond. The latest GBTA Business Travel Outlook Poll reports that domestic business travel bookings have reached 75% of 2019 levels, while international bookings are at 70%. Spending on domestic business travel is at 77%, and international spend is at 74%.
North America

Ennismore Moves to Market All-Inclusives Amid International Push

Corporate travel data company TRIPBAM reports a 25% increase in booking volumes for US travel in mid-September compared to 2022, with expectations of a return to pre-Covid levels by the end of the quarter and surpassing them in 2024, albeit slower in tech-heavy San Francisco. The third edition of the Hospitality Industry Sentiment survey shows a shift in expectations, with group demand and major events on the rise, while labor costs and supply challenges remain top concerns for the hotel industry. Various hotels announce renovations and openings, including Le Meridien Tampa, Springhill Suites Truckee, Hotel Dena Pasadena, Omni Charlottesville Hotel, and a new hotel project in East Austin. Nashville International Airport opens a new international arrivals facility, and citizenM appoints Rani Gharbie to lead its Americas expansion. Ennismore aims to change the reputation of all-inclusive resorts, and LEGOLAND Windsor Resort announces a LEGO Woodland-themed holiday village. London & Regional is close to acquiring the Kempinski Hotel Bahia in Estepona, Spain.
North America

International Spending in U.S. Improves 24% Year Over Year

TD Cowen increased price targets for Hilton and Marriott, maintaining Outperform ratings. U.S. international travel spending surged in July 2023, with a trade surplus of $777 million. Various hotel developments and management changes were announced, including HEI Hotels & Resorts' management of Aloft Tampa Downtown and plans for new properties in New Brunswick and Denver, as well as a significant renovation of The Olana mansion in Texas.
North America

Hotel Supply Growth May Not Be as Fast as in the Past

Stock Market Performance: DJIA fell by 291 points, Nasdaq decreased by 158 points, and S&P 500 dropped by 34 points. The 10-year treasury yield increased to 4.31%. Lodging Industry Trends: Lodging stocks, including SLNA and BHR, traded lower. Truist held a conference call on US lodging supply growth, with Marriott having the largest pipeline, and Hyatt showing the largest year-over-year increase. Hotel Performance Forecasts: CBRE Hotels revised down its 2023 RevPAR forecast due to weak summer demand, expecting a 4.6% YoY growth in RevPAR. Hotel supply growth is projected to be 1%, below the industry's historical average of 1.6% over the next five years.
North America

Choice Hotels Forecasts Higher-Than-Expected Earnings

Stock market indices showed positive movement, with the DJIA rising 317 points and the Nasdaq up 75 points, while lodging stocks mostly saw gains. IHG Hotels & Resorts clarified that it did not experience a demand reversal for leisure bookings, refuting an earlier misleading report. Choice Hotels issued a business update reaffirming full-year guidance, highlighting a drop in share repurchases and a higher-than-expected 2024 EBITDA projection, possibly indicating upcoming announcements or unique circumstances in the industry.
North America

The Hotel Business Is Good. Financing Is the Question Mark

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.
North America

Wyndham's Stock Strength Continues

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.
North America

Oyo Says It Will Add 100 U.S. Hotels This Year 

B of A Securities initiated coverage on Hilton Grand Vacations with a Neutral rating and $50 price target. OYO plans to expand its market presence in the U.S. with an addition of over 100 hotels in CY2023. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Park Hotels to $13 a share from $14 while maintaining their Equal Weight rating.
North America

Club Med to Shift Upmarket

Club Med said it was beginning a new chapter. Taking inspiration from the original Club Med philosophy, creating simple moments of happiness, the lifestyle brand will be providing a more premium, family-friendly and eco-conscious experience. Deutsche Bank initiated coverage on Wyndham Hotels & Resorts with a Buy rating and $79 price target. STR reported US lodging data for the week ended April 1. US hotel RevPAR was up 10.9% year over year.
North America

U.S. Fed Slows Tightening, Hotel Investors Set to Act

Citigroup upped their target price on Park Hotels & Resorts to $15 from $13 while maintaining their Neutral rating. They also upped their target price on Pebblebrook Hotel Trust to $16.50 from $15. They also maintained their Neutral rating on PEB. Accor’s private rental brand, onefinestay , has launched monthly stays in New York with 16 homes available to book and many more being added over the coming months.