Latest News

North America

Marriott and Hilton Embrace Dividends and Stock Buybacks

DJIA rose 391 points, Nasdaq up 277, and S&P 500 rose 68, with notable movements in lodging stocks, Hilton, and Marriott. PwC predicts economic challenges for hotels through 2024. CBRE reports mixed trends in the U.S. hotel industry, with RevPAR contraction, short-term rentals gaining market share, and outbound U.S. travelers surpassing inbound. Several hotel developments and expansions are underway, including in Banff, Nashville, and Park City. Hilton expands to Monaco, Marriott brings The Luxury Collection to Greece, and Minor Hotels debuts in Paris. Various hotel acquisitions, developments, and renovations are announced across the United States, reflecting a dynamic and evolving hospitality landscape.
North America

Hilton to Open a Bevy of New Properties in 2024

Braemar Hotels (BRH) and Ashford Hospitality Trust (AHT) reported 3Q results, with BRH missing estimates due to its resort/leisure focus, experiencing a -7.1% decline in RevPAR growth. AHT's results exceeded expectations, especially in urban assets, with a 4% growth in RevPAR. Hersha Hospitality shareholders approved a $1.4 billion, all-cash deal for KSL Capital Partners to acquire the hotel REIT, taking them private. The deal, valued at $10 per share, is expected to close in the current quarter. The Global Hotel Investor Sentiment Survey by JLL revealed a surge in lodging demand, with global RevPAR up 10.2% relative to 2019. Key findings include 81% of investors planning to be net buyers, a preference for urban markets (84%), and a focus on luxury and select-service hotels. Investors anticipate a rise in hotel pricing per key and face challenges like the cost of capital, rising insurance costs due to climate risk, and deferred capital expenditures.  
Asia-Pacific

Hilton's Planned Hotel Openings in Asia Pacific

JLL’s Hotel Momentum India  report said a total of 59 hotels comprising around 4,700 keys were signed in  India  in the last quarter. Hilton  announced some of their 2024 planned openings in the  Asia Pacific region. First up will be  Conrad Singapore Orchard  on January 1. The  Sri Lanka Convention Bureau  is working to establish the country’s Northern province as a destination for MICE for South  India .
North America

Acapulco Hotel Owners Vow to Reopen After Hurricane

Apple Hospitality REIT reported a modest beat in 3Q results but lowered 4Q guidance due to higher expenses, offsetting improved RevPAR guidance. STR reported that for the week ending November 4, US RevPAR was down by -2.1%, with a -4% decrease in occupancy, and a -7.4% drop in Group RevPAR. Latin America's hotel construction pipeline shows growth with 579 projects and 95,144 rooms in Q3 2023, up 6% in projects and 5% in rooms year-over-year, with Mexico leading the way.
Asia-Pacific

Accor Welcomes 23 Mercure and Grand Mercure Hotels in Japan

Accor is rebranding 23 Daiwa Resorts properties in Japan as Mercure and Grand Mercure hotels in 2024. The first Hyatt Place hotel in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, is now open, connected to Paradigm Mall. Swiss-Belhotel International rebranded an upscale property in Surabaya, Indonesia, as the Grand Swiss-Belhotel Darmo.
North America

Morgan Stanley Prefers C-Corps Over Hotel REITs for Strong Growth Outlook

Morgan Stanley favors C-Corps over hotel REITs for their growth potential and downside protection, while Barclays upgraded Park Hotels and Resorts due to its high dividend yield. Choice Hotels missed estimates, and the potential acquisition by Wyndham remains uncertain, with suggestions for possible negotiation tactics.   Various hotels reported earnings and developments, with openings, auctions, and construction plans in different regions, including California, Texas, and North Carolina.
Asia-Pacific

New Singapore Hotel Transforms Decommissioned Buses into Luxury Suites

The Philippines is close to reaching its annual goal of 4.8 million tourist arrivals, with nearly 4.1 million arrivals in the first 10 months of 2023. South Korea remains the top source of inbound tourists. Hotel prices in Malaysia may increase by 30% due to a rise in the Sales and Services Tax, excluding food and beverages or telecommunications. Consumers are expected to pay higher room rates. Sri Lanka anticipates its best tourism year in 2024, with exceeding arrival and revenue targets for this year. Plans to accommodate higher arrivals include expanding accommodation in Colombo and other areas.
North America

Hilton Grand Vacations to Buy Bluegreen Vacations

Hilton Grand Vacations is acquiring Bluegreen Vacations for approximately $1.5 billion, expanding its membership base and resort portfolio. HEI Hotels & Resorts takes over management of the Renaissance Times Square hotel in New York. Hyatt is collaborating with Parks Hospitality Holdings to develop four new properties in Mexico, including the Park Hyatt Cancun and Grand Hyatt Mexico Santa Fe.
Asia-Pacific

Asia's Hotel Market Expands with Key Partnerships

STR reported strong hotel performance in China, with an 88.7% year-over-year increase in RevPAR for the week ending October 28th. The region is showing signs of rapid post-pandemic recovery, reaching occupancy levels similar to Europe and America. Macau recorded over 22.72 million visitor arrivals, with a recent increase in daily arrivals, and the first 10 months of the year reaching 68% of 2019 levels. Various hotel-related developments and partnerships were announced by brands like IHG, Accor, and CapitaLand Ascott Trust across Asia, including new property openings, divestments, and expansions, highlighting continued growth in the region's hospitality industry.
North America

Lodging Stocks End the Week Higher

Stock market rallied as treasury bond yields fell, with DJIA, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 gaining points, while lodging stocks like SOND, AHT, and others saw significant increases. Several hotel-related developments were announced, including renovations, new hotels, and property sales in various locations across the United States. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts will introduce Rosewood Blue Palace in Greece in 2025, while the British Colonial Hotel in Nassau, Bahamas, will reopen on December 12 after a $100 million renovation.
North America

Hyatt's Heavy Canadian Expansion

Earnings reports from various hotel and hospitality companies have mixed results, with Marriott International and Hyatt facing disappointment, while Park Hotels, Chatham Lodging Trust, Host Hotels, RLJ Lodging Trust, and Summit Hotel Properties pleased investors. Hyatt Hotels plans to double its brand footprint in Canada with 23 new hotels by 2026, including airport locations and Hyatt Centric and Hyatt House properties. Various hotel acquisitions, openings, and renovations are announced, including the launch of Pendry Tampa and Pendry Residences Tampa, and the renovation of L'Ermitage Beverly Hills. Selina Hospitality faces financial challenges and seeks to restructure its debt.
Asia-Pacific

Phuket's Tourism Soars Thanks to Chinese and Russians

Phuket's hotel market saw strong growth in the first half of 2023, driven by increased flight volumes, with Russia and China as top tourism markets, and higher room rates post-pandemic. Accor anticipates a surge in hotel conversions due to stricter lending rules, leading to more independent Thai hotel owners seeking franchising, rebranding, or conversion opportunities. Macau plans to invest in attracting foreign tourists but faces challenges due to airport expansion. Wyndham opens its first Wyndham Grand hotel in South Korea, and S Hotels and Resorts launches SO/Maldives in the CROSSROADS Maldives.