W Hotels

Thanks to the shift in Easter in 2024 from March to April, RevPAR was down as a whole – but not in the top 25 markets in the U.S.

China introduces new measures to enhance travel flexibility and document processing for mainland citizens visiting Macau and Hong Kong, effective May 6.

Accor plans to expand its Indian portfolio by introducing 30 new hotels, adding 5,500 rooms over the next 3-5 years, and is set to open luxury hotels including Sofitel Jaipur Jawahar Circle and Raffles Jaipur.

Club Med released new data showing the company has reached a fresh milestone by achieving more than $2 billion in international business volume for the first time ever.

The market liked this conclusion: both companies' stock prices rose, with Choice Hotels up 6% and Wyndham Hotels 2%, indicating investor relief – or strategic reassessment.

Khazanah Nasional Berhad, the sovereign wealth fund of Malaysia, is in discussions to lead a $400 million funding round for OYO Hotels & Homes Pvt.

Sydney hotels achieved their highest occupancy levels on New Year’s Eve at 94% followed by 93.8% on December 2nd. There were only two days in the month when occupancy was not above the 60% mark.

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.

Wells Fargo downgraded Sunstone Hotels and revised DiamondRock Hospitality and Apple Hospitality's ratings. According to the National Travel and Tourism Office, international visitors to the U.S. in October 2023 spent $18.9 billion, marking a 23% increase from the previous year. In 2024, Hilton’s luxury portfolio, inclusive of Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts and LXR Hotels & Resorts will announce offerings that will provide guests with new brand signatures.

Major hospitality companies reported mixed trends at the Morgan Stanley Global Consumer & Retail Conference, with lodging demand remaining positive but margins affected by high wages. Several companies, including Crescent Hotels & Resorts and HHM Hotels, announced the addition of new properties to their portfolios. Evermore Orlando Resort is set to open a unique beach paradise, and other hotels are undergoing significant renovations and refurbishments, indicating a continued focus on luxury and expansion in the hospitality industry.