Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts

Foreign investors like Goldman Sachs, KKR, and Blackstone have invested $2 billion in Japanese hotel deals this year, driven by a hotel business rebound and favorable exchange rates. Hilton plans substantial growth in Southeast Asia, introducing a new Hilton Garden Inn prototype and adding seven new hotels in Malaysia, including new brands like Curio Collection and Waldorf Astoria. Accor expands across Asia with 30 new hotels, focusing on markets like Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, and India, while also partnering to introduce the Swissotel brand to Malaysia with Swissotel Genting Highlands.

DJIA down 37 points, Nasdaq up 207, S&P 500 up 30; 10-year treasury yield rises to 4.34%. Lodging stocks mixed, SLNA up 9%, BHR down -6%, VAC trades lower. Florida reports strong international visitor numbers, overseas travel up 21.8%, Canadian visitation up 81.1% in H1 2023. Florida sees 70.8 million annual visitors, leading post-pandemic recovery in overseas travelers. Grand Galvez hotel joins Marriott's Autograph Collection with elegant renovations. Aloft Chicago Schaumburg transforms former Holiday Inn into 119-room boutique hotel. IHG's Kimpton to open two boutique hotels in Mexico City. Hartsfield-Jackson Airport plans new administration building and mid-tier hotel. New hotel in Milwaukee's Deer District and upgraded Enclave at The Vendue opening in Charleston. US Real Estate Credit Holdings to purchase bankrupt Banyan Cay Resort.

Demolition of Tahoe Biltmore Lodge to make way for Waldorf Astoria Lake Tahoe. Several new hotel openings and renovations announced across the U.S., including projects in Palm Beach, Milwaukee, Crowley, and Southwest Mesa. STR and Tourism Economics adjusted their 2023-24 U.S. hotel forecast, with a noted global ADR increase in 2022. Truist revised its target price for VAC but retained its Buy rating. Truist reduced its target price for VAC to $190 from $219 due to Marriott Vacations' subpar quarterly outcomes and revised guidance, yet kept a Buy rating.

Market Summary: DJIA rose 82 points, Nasdaq fell 17, S&P 500 down 1 point, 10-year treasury yield down to 3.85%. Uncertainty remains about the Fed's rate hike decision. Certares Real Estate Hospitality Fund : Certares closes its first real estate fund with $284 million in equity commitments, investing in 10 U.S. hotels. Hilton and Travel + Leisure face mixed responses from investors. JD Power study highlights staff service as the highest contributor to guest satisfaction in hotels.

Stock market indices experienced a decline, with DJIA falling 102 points, Nasdaq down 165 points, and S&P 500 falling 23 points. The American Hotel & Lodging Association successfully lobbied for new PPP eligibility guidelines, allowing hotel owners who used third-party management companies to qualify for loan forgiveness. The U.S. hotel industry reported improved performance in May 2023 compared to the previous year, with increased occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR, particularly in the top 25 markets.

Marriott International, Sonesta International Hotel Corporation, and Pyramid Global Hospitality , announced plans for expansion and introduced new brands in different locations, including Latin America, Canada, and several U.S. states. Accor highlighted the progress of its branded residences business, with numerous projects under development worldwide, including Dubai, Australia, and South Korea. The Plasencia Group facilitated the sale of The Westin Tampa Bay, and Dan Hansen returned from retirement to lead Hyatt's new mid-market extended-stay brand, Hyatt Studios, with a significant development pipeline.

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.

Stock market performance: DJIA and lodging stocks showed mixed results, while Nasdaq and S&P 500 experienced gains. Hotel openings and renovations: New hotels and renovated properties were announced by various companies, including Wyndham Hotels, Hyatt Hotels, Candlewood Suites, and Knott's Berry Farm Hotel. Business updates: Remington Hotels promoted Keith Oltchick to Chief Development Officer, Hunter Hotel Advisors facilitated the sale of Hilton-branded assets, and Wyndham Hotels completed the refinancing of its Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility. Additionally, Mandarin Oriental revealed plans for a new hotel and residences in Athens, Greece.

STR reported  China hotel RevPAR, the week ending April 8, was up 108.5% on a year-over-year basis. It was up against an easy -49.5% comparable in 2022. STR said Melbourne’s hotel occupancy was the highest for any month since February 2020 in March 2023. Marriott International CEO Anthony Capuano was interviewed at the HICSA Conference in Bengaluru, India this week. He said Marriott plans to expand to at least 10 new cities in the country in the next two years with over 100 properties .

Craig-Hallum initiated coverage of LuxUrban Hotels with a Buy rating and a $10 price target. A New York hotel union reached a deal with hotel owners and operators, boosting the wages of hospitality workers by $7.50 an hour, the largest increase in the union’s 100-year history . Beginning this month, Waldorf Astoria Orlando in Florida will undergo a comprehensive, multi-phase re-imagination expected to debut in December 2023.