Best Western Hotels & Resorts

China's travel and tourism sector is projected to grow by 150% to $1.48 trillion by the end of 2023 and contribute over $4 trillion to the economy by 2033, with significant job growth. Asset World Public Company Limited partners with IHG to launch the InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping, part of a larger mixed development project in Thailand. NH Hotel brand plans to build a 12-story hotel near Sydney Airport, while Fusion Hotel Group opens HIIVE by Fusion Binh Duong in Vietnam, emphasizing "Workation" tourism.

Macau hotels experience high demand during Golden Week, with standard rooms sold out for at least three nights at 22 casino-associated properties, some offering rooms at around US$400 per night. Samhi Hotels raises Rs 1,370 crore through an IPO, with plans to use the proceeds for debt repayment and corporate purposes, resulting in a 7% trading increase from the IPO price. Blue Chandra Pte Ltd. also sells 50% of its equity holdings in SAMHI. Marriott International opens a Four Points by Sheraton resort in the Philippines and rebrands Le Meridien Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort in Thailand, while Hilton debuts the Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa. Hyatt announces the construction of the Hyatt House South Melbourne in Australia for a 2025 opening.

Stifel reduced Hyatt Hotels' target price to $115/share while maintaining a Hold rating. Pebblebrook Hotels warned of 3Q impacts due to storms in California and Florida, affecting same property RevPAR. U.S. Travel Association reports a federal government shutdown could cost the travel economy up to $140 million/day, causing negative consequences for air travel and travelers' plans.

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.

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.

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.

Singapore's August visitation decreased by -7.8% compared to July, with 1.31 million visitors. Total eight-month arrivals remain nearly -30% lower than 2019. Accor SA aims to sign approximately 125 hotel partnership projects in China this year, with plans to introduce the Orient Express brand. Hilton plans to expand its Hilton Garden Inn brand throughout the Asia Pacific region, with a new regional room prototype introduced in Australia and New Zealand.

Financial markets showed mixed performance with the DJIA, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 rising while the 10-year treasury yield also increased. JP Morgan expressed optimism about Hyatt's future, anticipating growth in RevPAR and an asset-light business model. Various hotel-related developments were reported, including property sales, renovations, and new openings, with several companies expanding their portfolios.

China hotel RevPAR increased by 30.7% YoY but was down by -6.8% compared to 2019. South Korea aims to attract 1.5 million Chinese tourists, lifting group visit bans with incentives. H World Group refines strategy for post-pandemic tourism in China, focusing on quality growth and lower-tier cities.

DJIA gained 213 points, Nasdaq increased by 114 points, and S&P 500 rose 28 points; 10-year treasury yield decreased by 0.03 to 4.21%. Lodging stocks surged on Hersha Hospitality buyout news, particularly REITs: HT up 56%, BHR up 16%, AHT up 10%, others up 6% each, while AINC traded down -9%. Hersha Hospitality Trust and KSL Capital Partners will merge in an all-cash deal worth $1.4 billion, where common shareholders receive $10.00 per share and preferred shareholders receive varying amounts based on their holdings. The merger aims to close in Q4 2023, leading to a rally in hotel REIT stocks. Major US and Chinese hotel groups have strengthened post-pandemic, while Europe lags behind. Marriott, Jin Jiang, and Hilton lead the world hotel ranking, with only one European representative (Accor). US has six companies in top 10, China has three, and Spanish companies see shifts in their rankings.