Latest News

North America

Hotel Construction Declines Worldwide

According to the latest STR U.S. bubble chart update , for the four weeks ending April 15, recovery growth across a range of industry indicators took a small backstep, with occupancy falling from the prior month. Each of the four world regions showed a year-over-year decline in hotel construction activity , with Asia Pacific coming closest to its 2022 comparable, according to March 2023 pipeline data from STR. The Hospitality Asset Manager Association released the results of its Spring 2023 Industry Outlook Survey .
Asia-Pacific

China Outbound Travel to Spike in Early May

Fitch Ratings said China’s domestic travel has seen a significant uptick in the first quarter of this year and is likely to gain momentum in the second quarter. Trip.com said the first round of outbound travel fever in China is coming ahead of the May Labor Day . The construction of Galaxy Entertainment’s Raffles at Galaxy Macau and Andaz Macau , as well as the resort of the phase 3 hotel project for the Cotai casino , is basically complete.
North America

Kayak’s Hotel May Be Seized in a $13 Million Foreclosure Lawsuit

Truist gave their 1Q lodging earnings preview . While they continue to see macro over micro with the main driver/wildcard coming from the economic impact of high interest rates and inflation, at a minimum they expect results to be in-line but more likely ahead. The Kayak Miami Beach hotel could be seized in a $13.68 million foreclosure lawsuit. The ART Hotel Denver, Curio Collection by Hilton announced the completion of its $3 million property-wide refresh to its 165 rooms and suites, 7,500 square feet of flexible meeting and event spaces, fitness center, private dining and public spaces.
Asia-Pacific

Ascott to Double Over Five Years

STR said China hotel RevPAR for the week ended April 15, was up 155.1% year over year. Marriott International announced it signed agreements with Vinpearl for an additional seven hotels and resorts in Vietnam , comprising more than 2,500 rooms. The Ascott Limited , a unit of CapitalLand Investment Limited, has achieved its target to secure 160,000 units by 2023 with the  signing of over 4,000 units in 1Q this year .
North America

Hotel Brands See Guest Satisfaction Boost

Upper upscale hotels, the property types most associated with business travel, are well represented in the U.S. development pipeline . According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index Travel Study 2022-2023, satisfaction across all four industries measured, airlines, hotels, car rentals, and online travel agencies, is up . STR reported US lodging data for the week ended 4/15. US hotel RevPAR was up 8.6% year over year.
Asia-Pacific

China Has 20,000 E-Sports Hotels

The total number of esports hotels in China exceeded 20,000 by the end of February this year, with the occupancy rate reaching an average of 60%. Trip.com said the interest in travel to mainland China has bounced back since the country resumed foreign visa applications. HVS Anarock’s latest report on India says occupancy will improve to 66% at hotels in 2023.
North America

Oyo Says It Will Add 100 U.S. Hotels This Year 

B of A Securities initiated coverage on Hilton Grand Vacations with a Neutral rating and $50 price target. OYO plans to expand its market presence in the U.S. with an addition of over 100 hotels in CY2023. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Park Hotels to $13 a share from $14 while maintaining their Equal Weight rating.
Asia-Pacific

Foreigners Buying Japanese Hotels at a Higher-Than-Usual Rate

Bloomberg published an article saying foreign investors are buying up Japanese hotels at a scale unseen in almost a decade , as the nation’s tourism recovery, weak currency and low-interest rates drive an appetite from abroad. As expected, the Japanese government wasted no time in approving the Osaka prefecture Integrated Casino Resort plan once the Governor was reelected and the first poll came out showing a favorable view. Accor is expanding its presence in Japan with the signing of ibis Styles Tokyo Ginza East , centrally situated in the shopping and entertainment district of Ginza.
North America

The Strong State of U.S. Hotels

CBRE released its US Hotels State of the Union March 2023 Edition . Key takeaways include February marked nine consecutive months of easing inflation. Baird said that with industry wide March RevPAR being better than expected, it de-risked 1Q23 earnings a bit, and the trade is likely higher into the earnings prints. Jefferies said they continue to believe Host Hotels is best-positioned among peers to generate growth and expanding cash flows irrespective of macro challenges and has yet to receive valuation credit.
North America

Blackstone Raises a $30 Billion Investment Fund

Blackstone announced the final close of its Blackstone Real Estate Partners X fund with $30.4 billion of total capital commitments, the largest real estate or private equity drawdown fund ever raised. Truist lowered their target price on Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, saying they have concerns over 2024 San Francisco conventions along with rising hotel-level costs. Celebrating its five-year anniversary, the Hard Rock Hotel Dayton Beach in Florida debuted a multimillion renovation including refreshed guestrooms and youth club and revamped memorabilia.
Asia-Pacific

Marriott Promises 100 Properties in India by 2025

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 .