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North America
Marriott and Hilton Embrace Dividends and Stock Buybacks
DJIA rose 391 points, Nasdaq up 277, and S&P 500 rose 68, with notable movements in lodging stocks, Hilton, and Marriott. PwC predicts economic challenges for hotels through 2024. CBRE reports mixed trends in the U.S. hotel industry, with RevPAR contraction, short-term rentals gaining market share, and outbound U.S. travelers surpassing inbound. Several hotel developments and expansions are underway, including in Banff, Nashville, and Park City. Hilton expands to Monaco, Marriott brings The Luxury Collection to Greece, and Minor Hotels debuts in Paris. Various hotel acquisitions, developments, and renovations are announced across the United States, reflecting a dynamic and evolving hospitality landscape. -
North America
$133 Million Margaritaville Hotel Approved in Kentucky
HSBC initiates stock coverage in the leisure and travel sector, including Buy ratings for Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, and Host Hotels, along with Hold ratings for Park Hotels, Choice Hotels, and Service Properties Trust. Several hotel projects and acquisitions are highlighted, including the opening of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Portland, a new property by Maverick Hotels and Restaurants in Rockford, and North American Properties’ approval for a Margaritaville hotel in Newport, Kentucky. Notable developments and changes in the international hotel industry, such as Adrian Messerli’s promotion at Four Seasons, Hilton’s plans to open Italy’s first LXR Hotels & Resorts property, and Riu Hotels and Resorts opening a new all-inclusive resort in Jamaica next year. -
Asia-Pacific
Vietnam’s Visitation Rate Is 69% of Pre-Covid Levels
In Vietnam, foreign tourist arrivals for the first nine months of 2023 increased significantly by 4.7 times compared to the previous year, with a 13.4% decrease in September from August. Cambodia witnessed a 251% year-on-year increase in foreign visitors for the first eight months of the year, targeting 4.5 to 5 million arrivals in total for the year. Macau’s visitor arrivals during Golden Week exceeded 150,000 on the third day, with plans for Galaxy Macau Phase 4 to open in 2026 with fewer hotel rooms than initially planned. -
North America
Hyatt Announces Plans for New Short-Term Vacation Rental Platform
Barclays expects a weak quarter for lodging REITs in 3Q23 and adjusted price targets for several hotel stocks. Various hotels across the US, including Marriott Vail and Signia by Hilton Atlanta, are undergoing construction or renovation. Hyatt Hotels plans to launch a vacation rental platform, Homes & Hideaways, while Sonesta opens a new hotel in Houston and Mandarina Oriental expands into Zurich. -
Asia-Pacific
IHG to Debut an InterContinental in Chiang Mai
China’s travel and tourism sector is projected to grow by 150% to $1.48 trillion by the end of 2023 and contribute over $4 trillion to the economy by 2033, with significant job growth. Asset World Public Company Limited partners with IHG to launch the InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping, part of a larger mixed development project in Thailand. NH Hotel brand plans to build a 12-story hotel near Sydney Airport, while Fusion Hotel Group opens HIIVE by Fusion Binh Duong in Vietnam, emphasizing “Workation” tourism. -
North America
B of A Securities Increases Target Price on MarriottĀ
DJIA and Nasdaq dropped significantly, 10-year yield surged, and lodging stocks declined. U.S. hotel industry saw lower occupancy but improved year-over-year comparisons. Peachtree Group announced multiple hotel acquisitions and new development projects, while other hotels are under renovation and expansion. -
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. -
Asia-Pacific
Thailand and South Korea Act to Woo Chinese Tourists
Both Thailand and South Korea are implementing strategies to entice Chinese tourists, including visa exemptions, tax refunds, and rewards. Thailand’s response comes after a drop in Chinese tourist arrivals, while South Korea offers incentives like visa fee waivers and cultural experiences. The Philippines establishes a Korea Visa Application Center to handle increased visa requests between the two nations. Travel between Korea and the Philippines has surged, showing potential to surpass pre-pandemic levels. Avani Hotel construction begins in Australia, Accor expands its properties with Novotel Living in Vietnam, and Marriott introduces new properties in Bali and Thailand. Deepak Ohri departs from lebua Hotels and Resorts, while Vaibhav Verma becomes Chief Revenue Officer at juSTa Hotels & Resorts. Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaiboon assumes leadership at Thailand’s Tourism Authority. -
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
The Women’s World Cup Hotel Booking Bounce
Australia and New Zealand hotels saw revenue rise during FIFA Women’s World Cup, especially in Wellington and Auckland. Singapore Expands Hotel Hiring: Singapore permits hiring from six new countries to meet growing hotel sector demands. Macau’s tourism recovers with high visitor counts and new hotel offerings, including Raffles Hotel.