Ritz-Carlton

Asia-Pacific

China Moves to Ease International Travel Requirements

Chinese authorities signaled a move to ease international travel requirements, just a couple of days after President Xi reiterated his Zero-Covid policy. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Sun Hung Kai Properties announced plans for a new Four Seasons hotel in historic Suzhou, China . Marriott International’s Ritz-Carlton brand announced the Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne will open its doors in the first quarter of 2023.
North America

Global Hotel Pipeline Slows in Q3

The DJIA surged 749 points on Friday while Nasdaq was up 245, the S&P 500 rose 87 points and the 10 year treasury yield was down .01 to 4.21%. Lodging stocks were modestly higher. According to September 2022 data from STR , Middle East & Africa was the only world region to show an increase in overall hotel pipeline activity at the end of the third quarter. IHG Hotels & Resorts reported a good 3Q, with RevPAR up 28% year over year and up 2.7% from 3Q19. The problem is they also announced Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson is leaving his CFO position.
North America

Lodging Stocks End Higher While Hotel Index Stock Drops

The DJIA jumped 551 points today while Nasdaq was up 354, the S&P 500 was up 95 points and the 10-year treasury yield was up .01 at 4.02%. The Baird/STR Hotel Stock Index fell -9.1% in September. Despite continued strong RevPAR, both year over year and 2019 comps, the stock index has dropped -20.6% in the first 9 months of the year. Driftwood Capital broke ground on the Element by Westin , a new 130-key extended-stay hotel located on prime oceanfront property in Melbourne, FL .
North America

Early October U.S. Hotel RevPAR Up 13% Over Same Period 2019

The  DJIA  fell 28 points,  Nasdaq  was down 9, the  S&P 500  fell 12 points and the  10-year treasury yield  was down .04 to 3.90%. Braemar Hotels & Resorts Inc . reported the company expects to report occupancy of approximately 71% for the third quarter of 2022 with an ADR of approximately $403 resulting in RevPAR of approximately $288. Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc . announced the company expects to report occupancy of approximately 71% for the third quarter of 2022 with an ADR of approximately $179 resulting in RevPAR of approximately $127.
North America

Summer Tourism Spending in U.S. Spikes YoY

The DJIA plunged 630 points on Friday while Nasdaq was down 421, the S&P 500fell 105 points and the 10 year treasury yield jumped .06 to 3.88%. Lodging stocks were lower. Data recently released by the National Travel and Tourism Office showed in August, international visitors spent more than $13.7 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the U.S. Jefferies lowered their price target on  Hersha Hospitality to $12 from $13 and  Sunstone Hotel Investors  to $11 from $12.
Asia-Pacific

New Maldives Premium Properties in Pipeline for 2023 Openings

Enova Estates SL  issued a press release on  new resorts expected to open in 2023 in the Maldives . They currently have over 160 island resorts. The Lee family has offered a takeover bid for Mulpha International Bhd, a continuation of a trend of privatizations and buyouts of public listed companies in Malaysia. Marriott International announced the signing of an agreement with Yuexiu Property to bring its Ritz-Carlton brand to downtown Wuhan in China.
Asia-Pacific

Marriott Plans Luxury Expansion Across APAC

Marriott International  announced it expects to open  14 additional luxury properties   in Asia Pacific by the end of 2023 . Marriott currently operates 156 luxury properties in the region. Construction of the long-awaited resort at  Kalgoorlie Golf Course  in the city of  Kalgoorlie-Boulder  in  Australia  has finally begun. PT Platnet Properindo Jaya Tbk will initiate the operation of Citi Hub Hotel, Kelapa Gading in Indonesia in 2023.
Asia-Pacific

Hong Kong Hotels Set Aside Rooms for Positive Covid Cases

STR reported China hotel RevPAR results for the week ended September 10. RevPAR was down -12.3% year over year while down -29.3% when compared with a comparable week in 2019. Hong Kong hotels have been told to set aside just eight or 3% of their rooms, whichever is lower, to house travelers who test positive for Covid, raising the risk of insufficient space for infected people if the easing of travel curbs come into effect. Asset World Public Company Limited said they are strengthening their long term partnership with Marriott International with an agreement to launch a new Ritz-Carlton hotel in Bangkok’s heritage riverside district.
Asia-Pacific

Singapore Leads Way on Room Cost

Bloomberg reported that hotel rooms in Singapore are now the most expensive in almost a decade. Radisson Hotel Group said they are aiming to accelerate growth across Thailand. The Tongsai Bay, the first five-star luxury hotel to be built on Koh Samui, has embarked on an innovative refurbishment and development program to celebrate its 35th anniversary as a luxury eco-haven.
North America

Business Travel Will Return to Pre-Pandemic Levels by Late 2023

The DJIA fell 154 points but Nasdaq was flat while the S&P 500 fell 9 points and the 10-year Treasury yield was up .02 to 3.05%. Citigroup upped its price target on Sunstone Hotels to $12 from $10.50. Morgan Stanley upped its price target on Airbnb to $125 from $100.