Latest News

Park Hotels & Resorts announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 and a special top-off dividend of $0.78, totaling nearly $635 million returned to shareholders in 2023. R New and renovated Holiday Inn properties opened in Mansfield, Ohio, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. LuxUrban Hotels signed agreements to operate two New York City hotels.

Truist remains optimistic about US hotel demand and RevPAR, favoring C-Corp stocks like HLT, MAR, and H, and recommending Hyatt and Ryman Hospitality among REITs. Hilton is expanding in Baja California, Mexico with Tapestry Collection hotels. Ashford Hospitality Trust faces lawsuits over loan defaults. Accor announced executive appointments and a new hotel in Poland with Allenort Group.

China's hotel Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) increased by 46.5% for the week ending November 25, 2023, compared to a 2.2% increase year-over-year but was down 2.8% compared to 2019. Curio Collection by Hilton is set to reach its 150th opening by the end of 2023, with 19 new properties, including 10 first-in-market hotels, such as in Kenya, Vietnam, Monaco, Australia, Argentina, and Curacao. Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport opened on December 1, being the largest in Thailand with 468 rooms and multiple dining options.

Hilton's Curio Collection is set to reach its 150th hotel milestone by the end of 2023, with notable openings in various global locations, including Kenya, Vietnam, Monaco, Australia, and Argentina. Sun Hill Properties announced plans for a new 395-key hotel next to the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, aimed at accommodating the 2028 Olympics. The Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Florida announced the opening of a newly transformed spa and renovated guestrooms and restaurants.

79% of markets showed growth in Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) compared to 2019, with countries like the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, and Singapore leading. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is set to open over 10 new hotels in Malaysia, and BWH Hotels announced a new upscale hotel in Vietnam, indicating significant growth and investment in the Asian hospitality market. Chinese airlines are canceling flights to Thailand amidst decreasing traveler numbers, despite visa waivers. Meanwhile, the Philippines surpassed its target for international visitor arrivals, with South Korea being the top source market.

As of November 11, 2023, 79% of markets showed growth in Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) compared to 2019, with leadership positions shifting from Europe to other regions as the Northern Hemisphere approaches winter. New York City led U.S. hotel sales in the last three months with transactions totaling $1.35 billion, despite a significant decrease in overall disclosed hotel transaction volume in 2023 compared to 2022. Several key hotel developments and acquisitions include KSL Capital Partners acquiring Hersha Hospitality Trust, the opening of the avid hotel Chattanooga South - Ringgold, and proposed sales like the Hyatt Place Pittsburgh Airport hotel.

Macau's gaming tourism area hosted over 245 MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events in the third quarter of 2023, a 231% increase from the previous year. Several new hotels are opening or being signed across Asia, including the Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou in China, the first TRIBE NATION hotel in China, and Mandarin Oriental's Villa Mayavee in Phuket Mohegan Inspire Entertainment in South Korea begins a soft opening of its non-casino areas, and Indian Hotels Company announces its sixth Ginger brand hotel in Kerala, India.

Barron's recommended investing in travel stocks like Hilton and Marriott for business travel and Choice Hotels is still planning a takeover of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. There is a new distribution agreement between Choice Hotels EMEA and Sercotel, the potential sale of Travelodge hotels by LXI REIT, and new hotel developments and refinancing deals in the UK and Europe. Significant strategic actions in the hotel industry include Choice Hotels' intent to nominate directors to Wyndham Hotels & Resorts' board amidst an $8 billion takeover battle.

China launches a pilot project allowing visa-free travel for visitors from several countries, with Malaysia reciprocating for Chinese and Indian visitors. IHG, Accor, SM Hotels, Hilton, and Artyzen Hospitality Group announce new properties and partnerships across Asia. The former Palazzo Versace in Australia is up for sale with a $100 million price tag.

B.Riley Securities downgraded Ashford Hospitality Trust. US hotel RevPAR increased by 6.3%. Innisfree Hotels acquired Hampton Inn in Florida; Apple Hospitality REIT bought Embassy Suites in Utah. Quality Inn in Cincinnati to become a senior living facility. Ranchhod LLC acquired Country Inn & Suites in North Carolina. JMA Ventures and Machete Group developing a mixed-use project in Orlando. Prospera Hotel plans a new hotel in Seattle. The Charles Hotel in Massachusetts updated suites and dining areas. West Baden Hotel in Indiana undergoing roof repair. Park Hotel in Ireland sold to Bryan Meehan. Como Hotels & Resorts opening new resort in Italy. Host AB sold a majority stake in Swedish hotels. Marriott introduced a new design for Courtyard in Berlin. The Standard International launching The StandardX in Melbourne, Australia.

Singapore saw a significant rise in international visitor arrivals in October, notably from China and Indonesia. Meanwhile, The Philippines plans to develop 48 new hotels by 2028. Several hospitality brands announced major expansions, including The Standard International's new The StandardX in Melbourne, Australia, and Accor opening Mercure Tokyo Haneda Airport. Indian Hotels Company formalized a partnership for a new Vivanta hotel in Kochi, India, and Crowne Plaza in Chennai, India will be replaced by luxury apartments.

Short of taking out a billboard or skywriting, we have no idea how much more  Wyndham Hotels & Resorts  can do to tell  Choice Hotels to go away on its bid. With the Fed expected to be done with its interest rate hike cycle, we expect the attention will turn to the Lodging REITs shortly. Marriott International’s Aloft Hotels  said  Aloft Lake Nona  announced its December opening in the Lake Nona community of Orlando, Florida.