Super 8

A new report for 2023 shows 85% of markets with RevPAR higher than 2019. In terms of top-line performance, that means most markets have recovered from the significant declines caused by the pandemic.

Wells Fargo predicts a stabilization in interest rates in 2024, benefiting hotel sector growth, with a focus on high-end leisure and Asia Pacific markets. Oppenheimer raised the target price for Host Hotels, and Driftwood Capital secured a significant refinancing loan for Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront Hotel. There were key personnel changes in various hotel groups, such as Concord Hospitality and Great Wolf Resorts, indicating a focus on business development and wellness.

JP Morgan upgraded Choice Hotels to Neutral and shifted Host Hotels, Park Hotels, Ryman Hospitality, and Sunstone Hotels to Neutral, citing less downside in lodging REITs. CoStar forecasts U.S. hotel demand growth of 1.8% in 2024, with occupancy increasing by 1% and room rate growth aligning with inflation, leading to RevPAR growth of 4.8% this year and 4% in 2024. Barclays shifted to Equal Weight on Marriott Vacations, expressing uncertainty in company-specific execution and favoring Hilton Grand Vacations in the timeshare sector.

Stock market indices, including DJIA, Nasdaq, and S&P 500, experienced declines on Friday, with the 10-year treasury yield also dropping notably. Some lodging companies reported mixed earnings, with Apple Hospitality , RLJ , and Sunstone Hotel Investors beating expectations, while DiamondRock Hospitality and Playa Hotels missed estimates. Several hotel chains, including Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and LuxUrban Hotels, Inc. , are making expansion deals, and various hotel properties are undergoing renovations and acquisitions in different locations.

DJIA rose 210 points, Nasdaq up 25, S&P 500 up 11; 10-year treasury yield retreated to 4.01%. RW Baird supports Ashford Hospitality Trust 's decision to return hotels to lenders, citing improved cash flow prospects.

Sri Lanka Tourism outlined key strategies to double the arrivals to 1.5 million and generate an income of over $5 billion highlighting the sector as a major economic driver. The number of international tourists arriving in Vietnam reached 596,900 in November, the highest monthly total since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Marriott International announced the opening of Le Meridien Seoul Myeongdong  and Moxy Seoul Myeongdong , showing how they continue to expand their lifestyle offering in Seoul, South Korea .

The  DJIA fell another 0.6% on Tuesday, Nasdaq was down 0.1%, the S&P 500 fell 0.5% and the 10-year treasury yield rose to 3.963%, its peak since 2010. Truist reported on a conference call it held with corporate travel data company Tripbam . Takeaways included that any indications of a recession have not yet shown up in business travel bookings and pricing data . Evercore ISI Group upped its rating on Hyatt to Outperform from In Line. Their price target is $100.