Puerto Rico

After a week mostly spent on vacation, DLR returns with everything you need to know about the lodging industry before the next week starts.

Choice Hotels' earnings exceeded low expectations, highlighted by aggressive share repurchases that historically benefit the stock.

Marriott Vacations exceeded first quarter 2024 expectations, with steady EBITDA performance and a large share buyback, despite underwhelming results in its core Vacation Ownership segment.

A new report points to a resurgence in business travel, with group travel boosting hotels and companies increasingly sending employees on trips, challenging earlier predictions that virtual meetings would replace in-person business interactions permanently.

Club Med released new data showing the company has reached a fresh milestone by achieving more than $2 billion in international business volume for the first time ever.

Wells Fargo initiated coverage on Hyatt, Hilton, and Marriott, favoring operators targeting group and high-end travel, with strong growth outlooks and reasonable valuations. They predict a 3%-4% RevPAR growth in 2024. Accor added Hotel Andra Seattle to its portfolio and plans for new MGallery properties. International tourism is nearing pre-pandemic levels, with a 38% increase in travelers in 2023 compared to 2022. The Middle East leads the recovery, while Europe, Africa, and the Americas show significant improvement.

Deutsche Bank's conference highlighted mixed optimism in the lodging and gaming sectors, with expectations of growth driven by international markets. Revised forecasts for the U.S. hotel industry in 2023 indicate slight adjustments in occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR predictions. The sector saw various activities, including MHG's acquisition of Marriott West Palm Beach Airport, 3H Group's plans for a new Hilton in Florida, and the opening of a new Holiday Inn Express in Arizona. International expansions and renovations were also notable, with new properties and rebranding efforts in several countries. Valencia Hotel Group rebrands to Valencia Hotel Collection, marking its 20th anniversary with leadership restructuring and expansion plans. Libertyland USA, a mixed-use development, is set to open in South Dakota by 2026, featuring an indoor waterpark and other amenities. Agora Realty & Management acquires a 73-acre site in Las Vegas for mixed-use development.

Marriott International, Hyatt, CBRE, Xenia Hotels & Resorts, Airbnb, and others, experienced shifts in ratings, acquisitions, and expansions. Renovations & Openings: Numerous hotels underwent renovations, expansions, and rebranding across cities like Boca Raton, Key West, and Tempe. Ongoing projects in Virginia, Alabama, and Texas showcase substantial financial commitments, indicating growth and expansion in these regions.

Choice Hotels made an offer to acquire Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, which was rejected. The situation may lead to a proxy fight. Marriott and MGM's partnership launch delayed to early 2024 due to a cyber attack on MGM and the complexity of the integration, which includes the creation of the MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy. Hyatt introduces the Wellbeing Collective, offering tailored wellbeing experiences at 30+ hotels globally, with plans to expand in 2024.

Stock market indices showed gains on Friday, with DJIA up by 288 points, Nasdaq up by 212 points, and S&P 500 up by 50 points, while the 10-year treasury yield increased to 4.78%. San Francisco saw a significant increase in weekday occupancy, and STR reported a 66.3% occupancy rate for US hotels in September 2023. Several new hotels and renovations were announced, including Aloft Hotel near Fort Lauderdale, Residence Inn in Vail, and the Union Station Nashville Yards.