ibis Styles

Notable are the predictions of 3% to 8% hotel rate hikes in 2024, with Asia leading in occupancy growth. Accor's execution of management agreements for 69 properties across Asia, enhancing its portfolio with over 16,500 keys, is a major development. The reopening of the Mandarin Oriental Singapore after a multi-million dollar transformation underscores significant refurbishment investments in the industry.

IHG Hotels & Resorts ventures into Thailand’s Golden Triangle with luxury properties, while Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok undergoes extensive renovations. Six Senses opens a new resort in the Maldives, and Accor expands its portfolio across the Pacific region. OYO plans to alleviate debt through a buyback process before its long-anticipated IPO, while Indian Hotels Company inaugurates Ginger Mumbai Airport and Sarovar Hotels & Resorts debuts in Gujarat. Atmosphere Core introduces new hires and strategic shifts in the Maldives, emphasizing culinary strategies and upcoming projects across various brands and locations.

Apple Hospitality REIT reported a modest beat in 3Q results but lowered 4Q guidance due to higher expenses, offsetting improved RevPAR guidance. STR reported that for the week ending November 4, US RevPAR was down by -2.1%, with a -4% decrease in occupancy, and a -7.4% drop in Group RevPAR. Latin America's hotel construction pipeline shows growth with 579 projects and 95,144 rooms in Q3 2023, up 6% in projects and 5% in rooms year-over-year, with Mexico leading the way.

Macau's Golden Week holiday saw a surge in visitors, with over 932,000 arrivals and high hotel occupancy rates, mainly driven by mainland Chinese tourists. Indonesia plans a significant expansion in its tourism sector, aiming to attract up to $8 billion in investments for specific destinations. Several new hotel properties by Accor and Hilton are announced in countries including Australia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia.

Jefferies downgraded Marriott Vacations to "Hold" from "Buy" and reduced their target price, expressing concerns over the macroeconomic outlook, particularly in consumer credit and interest rates. The 2023 survey from the Hospitality Asset Managers Association indicates optimism about RevPAR's return to 2019 levels, while various hotels announce new completions, renovations, and sales across the U.S. Key personnel appointments are announced in major hotel groups, and international brands like Wyndham, Accor, and Hyatt unveil expansion plans and new properties in locations such as Barbados, France, and Spain.

Wedbush initiated coverage on lodging REITs, with Ryman Hospitality and Host Hotels receiving Outperform ratings and price targets of $94 and $19, respectively. Park Hotels and Pebblebrook Hotel Trust were initiated with Neutral ratings and price targets of $13 and $14, respectively. Keybanc downgraded Airbnb's rating to Sector Weight from Overweight. A report by Morning Consult indicates that the "revenge travel" trend may be declining, with travel intentions increasing in some countries but declining in others, particularly in Europe. China is experiencing a significant surge in travel, driven by pent-up demand.

Hilton, InterContinental, Melia, Wyndham, Accor, Hyatt, and Marriott are among the hotel chains expanding their presence in various cities across Asia-Pacific. New hotel openings and renovations are bringing luxury accommodations and unique experiences to destinations like Hainan Island, Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo, Sydney , and more. From all-women managed hotels to rooftop pools and innovative dining options, these developments cater to the diverse needs of travelers seeking comfort, convenience, and memorable stays.

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.

Bloomberg published an article saying foreign investors are buying up Japanese hotels at a scale unseen in almost a decade , as the nation’s tourism recovery, weak currency and low-interest rates drive an appetite from abroad. As expected, the Japanese government wasted no time in approving the Osaka prefecture Integrated Casino Resort plan once the Governor was reelected and the first poll came out showing a favorable view. Accor is expanding its presence in Japan with the signing of ibis Styles Tokyo Ginza East , centrally situated in the shopping and entertainment district of Ginza.

BofA Securities initiated coverage on Marriott Vacations with a Neutral rating and a $180 price target. The Wall Street Journal published an article on how hotel companies are stepping up efforts to lure competitors’ hotels to their own brands. The article referenced Hilton’s new Spark by Hilton brand. We had heard those concerns about upcoming maturities from Service Properties Trust when we were positive about their resumption of the previous dividend, giving them an 11% yield at the time.