Latest News

North America

B of A Securities Increases Target Price on Marriott 

DJIA and Nasdaq dropped significantly, 10-year yield surged, and lodging stocks declined. U.S. hotel industry saw lower occupancy but improved year-over-year comparisons. Peachtree Group announced multiple hotel acquisitions and new development projects, while other hotels are under renovation and expansion.
Asia-Pacific

Thailand's Ambitious Plan to Attract 40 Million Tourists in 2023

Chinese hotel RevPAR surged by 59.6% YoY but remained 5.1% below 2019 levels for the week ending September 16th. The Philippines is close to surpassing its 2023 tourist arrival target, with 3.87 million foreign visitors contributing Php316.9 billion in revenue. Thailand aims to attract a record 40 million tourists in 2023 through visa-free systems, promotional efforts, and expanding direct flights, targeting international travelers with a focus on Chinese visitors.
North America

Sonder Announces Reverse Split, Hopes to Stay on Nasdaq

Sonder Holdings announces a 1 for 20 reverse split to maintain its Nasdaq listing, with Selina also considering a reverse split. STR reports US hotel data with a slight increase in US hotel RevPAR but a decrease in Group RevPAR for the week ending 9/16. Various hotel acquisitions and developments are underway, including Omni Hotels & Resorts in Raleigh, Travel + Leisure Co.'s sports-themed resorts, Life House in Palm Springs, and more.
Asia-Pacific

China Outbound Tourism to Fully Rebound by Late 2024

The World Travel & Tourism Council predicts that it will take about a year for popular tourist destinations worldwide to see a significant return of Chinese visitors, with challenges like visa and passport difficulties slowing the process. IPK's survey indicates a strong travel recovery from China, particularly to Europe, in 2024, with around 50% of respondents planning to travel abroad in the next year. Europe is the preferred destination, while travel to the US is less frequent due to limited flight options and geopolitical factors. Dusit International announces the launch of two new hotel brands, Dusit Collection and Devarana – Dusit Retreats, aiming to offer unique and authentic travel experiences and expand into untapped markets. Additionally, Lemon Tree Hotels opens a new property in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, featuring suites and rooms, a restaurant, bar, banquets, and a fitness center.
North America

Hyatt Plans 30+ Properties in the Americas

B of A Securities gives IHG Hotels & Resorts a Buy rating. Sonder announces a 1-for-20 reverse stock split. Hyatt plans to expand with over 30 new hotels in the Americas by 2025, emphasizing luxury, resort, and lifestyle rooms. Miraval Resorts unveils its spa after a $60 million renovation. Raffles Boston and The Fontainebleau Las Vegas announce their openings.
Asia-Pacific

FIFA Women's World Cup Boosted Sydney Hotels

Hotel prices are surging during the upcoming Golden Week in popular cities, driven by the extended Golden Week, which includes the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day Holiday. Sydney, Australia, experienced record-high performance levels in August 2023 due to the FIFA Women's World Cup, with increased occupancy and average daily rates. Accor is expanding its presence in Japan by adding 23 properties and over 6,000 rooms to its network, with renovations and rebranding set to take place, doubling its presence in the country.
North America

New York City Hotel Bookings Boom After Short-Term Rental Crackdown

CNBC discusses the repercussions of New York City's crackdown on Airbnb, suggesting that hotels will benefit from higher prices during the holiday season due to Airbnb's cancellation of bookings after December 1. Legacy Development & Management acquired the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North and plans a $22 million, two-year renovation, including room upgrades, new amenities, and exterior improvements. Various new hotel development projects are underway, including a Marriott Westin at the Indianapolis International Airport, a Hilton-branded hotel in Decatur, Georgia, a Four Seasons Hotel & Residences in Jacksonville, Florida, and a $2 billion theme park called American Heartland in Vinita, Oklahoma.
Asia-Pacific

Thailand Takes Step to Woo Chinese Tourists

The Royal Thai Government is granting temporary tourist visa exemptions to Chinese and Kazakhstani passport holders from September 25, 2023, to February 29, 2024, to boost tourism revenue. Macao expects a high number of visitors during the upcoming Golden Week, with hotels projected to have near-full occupancy due to the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day Holiday. Galaxy Macau has opened Andaz Macau, the largest Andaz hotel in the Hyatt brand's portfolio, featuring 700 rooms, artworks, and a direct connection to the Galaxy International Convention Center and Galaxy Arena.
North America

First Hospitality Buys 17 Hotels in Hostmark Deal

DJIA, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 all experienced declines while the 10-year treasury yield rose to 4.32%. Lodging stocks had mixed performance. Truist updated price targets for lodging/hotel group stocks, with several adjustments both up and down. Various hotels announced renovations, expansions, and new locations, including the Westin Denver Downtown, Hyatt's growth plans, and the EV Evolution Venue Hotel in Tampa and Washington, DC.
North America

Magna Buys Three Manhattan Hotels for $160 Million

Crescent Real Estate acquired the Element Orlando Universal Boulevard hotel, and the Delta Hotel in Wichita Falls, Texas, opened. Various hotel acquisitions and rebranding activities occurred, including the purchase of Hilton-branded hotels in New York, rebranding of properties as Trademark Collection by Wyndham, and the addition of Arlo Williamsburg to the Arlo Hotels portfolio. A $1.5 billion development plan for the Tennessee Titan's domed stadium area was announced, including a 40-story hotel, apartments, and retail spaces, with construction set to begin in 2025.
Asia-Pacific

Marriott Expands Into Indonesia's New Capital

China's hotel industry saw a significant year-over-year increase in RevPAR, up 58.1% compared to a decline in the previous year. Hong Kong's tourism sector experienced a gradual recovery, with August visitor arrivals reaching 84% of pre-pandemic levels. Wharf Hotels introduced Maqo, a new premium lifestyle brand, expanding its portfolio and aligning with its "25 by 2025" growth vision. Maqo's inaugural hotel will be in Changsha, China, and it aims to provide unique, edited experiences for its guests.
North America

Davidson, Dimension and HEI Lead in Satisfaction

The J.D. Power 2023 North America Third-Party Hotel Management Guest Satisfaction Benchmark reveals that hotel management companies' investments in renovations, maintenance, and staffing have led to increased guest satisfaction in areas like guest rooms and staff service. The benchmark highlights that guest anticipation of needs is a crucial factor, with 82% of interactions meeting this goal. Many guests desire modern lobby designs, but only 13% of branded hotels fulfill this criterion. Additionally, there's a demand for electric vehicle charging stations, with 19% of guests expressing interest.