Alan Woinski

Jefferies upgraded Park Hotels to Buy from Hold, reflecting positive changes like the removal of their San Francisco assets. Meanwhile, they downgraded Choice Hotels to Underperform from Hold due to concerns over its acquisition strategy, specifically regarding Wyndham Hotels. Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. announced the acquisition of the Springhill Suites by Marriott Las Vegas Convention Center for approximately $75 million. Bradford Allen Hospitality acquired two hotel properties in Riverhead, New York, planning significant renovations for both. PEG Companies opened The Moxy in the historic Luhrs Building in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. Hawkeye Hotels commenced construction of a Fairfield Inn & Suites in downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina, targeting a spring 2025 opening.

Four Seasons announces two new hotels: Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai, opening in 2027 with 160 rooms and suites, and Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou, now open with 119 rooms, suites, and 11 villas. Marriott International expands in Sydney and Bangkok with the Moxy brand. Moxy Sydney Pitt Street, opening in 2025, will have 314 rooms and the city's highest rooftop bar. Moxy Bangkok Ratchaprasong, opening in 2024, starts its experience with a 9th-floor bar check-in. IHG Hotels & Resorts opens two new Holiday Inn resorts in Phuket, managed by Destination Group. Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Karon Beach and Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Surin Beach feature over 220 rooms each, with private balconies and extensive amenities.

Citigroup downgraded Sonder Holdings from Buy to Neutral, with a new price target set at $4.Choice Hotels criticized Wyndham Hotels & Resorts for misrepresenting the lodging industry's competitive landscape. This criticism came after Wyndham's recommendation for shareholders to reject CHH's exchange offer and their discontinuation of discussions regarding a potential transaction with CHH. Hyatt announced plans to open over 35 luxury hotels and resorts globally through 2025, including new Park Hyatt locations in the UK, Mexico, and Malaysia, and expanding the Thompson Hotel brand in Europe.

There are notable expansion and renovations worldwide, including the opening of the Hyatt Place Bodh Gaya in India, the launch of Mondrian Hong Kong, and the extensive refurbishment of Peppers Marysville in Australia's Yarra Valley. Osaka, Japan, aims to attract 20 million visitors annually with the new MGM Osaka resort. Mandarin Oriental announces plans for three unique resorts in Setouchi, Japan.

Apple Hospitality REIT declared a regular monthly cash dividend and a special distribution. Bluegreen Vacation Holdings' acquisition by Hilton Grand Vacations moved forward with the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. Several new hotel openings and acquisitions were announced, including AC Hotels by Marriott in Naples, Moxy by Marriott in Houston, IHG's first Garner hotel, and Choice Hotels International's 100th Suburban Studios hotel.

Wharf Holdings is planning to open 25 Maqo hotels by 2025 and is discussing expansions in China, Japan, and Thailand. IHG is introducing a new Holiday Inn Resort in Maharashtra, India, for 2027 and announced significant growth of their Holiday Inn Express brand in Greater China. ONYX Hospitality Group is expanding its Shama serviced apartment brand with five new properties across Asia, including locations in China, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Wyndham’s Board rejects Choice Hotels' unsolicited offer to acquire WH, backed by the Asian American Hotels Owners Association's opposition. Hilton to open its first Tapestry Collection hotel in Los Cabos in 2024, alongside another project in La Paz. Preferred Hotel Group aims to expand its Beyond Green brand in Mexico, targeting 75 sustainable hotels globally.

The Philippine Department of Tourism achieved over 5 million international visitors in 2023, nearing pre-pandemic levels, with a focus on their National Tourism Development Plan 2023-2028. China's tourism rebound is driven by domestic demand, though sustainability into the next year is uncertain. The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels announced executive changes effective 2024, with a formal search for a new CEO.

JP Morgan upgraded Choice Hotels to Neutral and shifted Host Hotels, Park Hotels, Ryman Hospitality, and Sunstone Hotels to Neutral, citing less downside in lodging REITs. CoStar forecasts U.S. hotel demand growth of 1.8% in 2024, with occupancy increasing by 1% and room rate growth aligning with inflation, leading to RevPAR growth of 4.8% this year and 4% in 2024. Barclays shifted to Equal Weight on Marriott Vacations, expressing uncertainty in company-specific execution and favoring Hilton Grand Vacations in the timeshare sector.

STR reported a 54.2% increase in China's hotel RevPAR compared to last year, with Jakarta hotels reaching record occupancy and RevPAR levels, boosted by events like a Coldplay concert. Accor announced the opening of five new properties in Asia, along with the first Movenpick by Accor destination in Qingdao, China, as part of a strategic alliance with Sunmei Group, planning over 400 new properties across China. IHG, Radisson, and Wyndham announced new hotel openings in Amritsar, Surat, Goa, and Cebu, with IHG's voco Amritsar Airport and Radisson's Uday Palace Navsari targeting diverse locations.