Courtyard by Marriott

The Peninsula's Parent Company Seeks a New CEO

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 Re-Ranks Many Hotel Stocks

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.

Radisson's Strategic Expansion in South-East Asia

Macau expects 28 million visitors in 2023, nearing 74% of 2019 levels, with predictions for further growth in 2024. New hotel developments and renovations across Asia , including the Courtyard by Marriott in Kyoto , Japan , and the Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel in Thailand . Radisson expands in South-east Asia, targeting markets like Sri Lanka and the Philippines , while Sun Siyam Pasikudah in Sri Lanka and Lemon Tree Hotels in Karnataka, India , announce new properties.

Hilton Expands Its Curio Collection in Asia Pacific

China's hotel Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) increased by 46.5% for the week ending November 25, 2023, compared to a 2.2% increase year-over-year but was down 2.8% compared to 2019. Curio Collection by Hilton is set to reach its 150th opening by the end of 2023, with 19 new properties, including 10 first-in-market hotels, such as in Kenya, Vietnam, Monaco, Australia, Argentina, and Curacao. Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport opened on December 1, being the largest in Thailand with 468 rooms and multiple dining options.

Choice Hotels Lays off Corporate Staff

B.Riley Securities downgraded Ashford Hospitality Trust. US hotel RevPAR increased by 6.3%. Innisfree Hotels acquired Hampton Inn in Florida; Apple Hospitality REIT bought Embassy Suites in Utah. Quality Inn in Cincinnati to become a senior living facility. Ranchhod LLC acquired Country Inn & Suites in North Carolina. JMA Ventures and Machete Group developing a mixed-use project in Orlando. Prospera Hotel plans a new hotel in Seattle. The Charles Hotel in Massachusetts updated suites and dining areas. West Baden Hotel in Indiana undergoing roof repair. Park Hotel in Ireland sold to Bryan Meehan. Como Hotels & Resorts opening new resort in Italy. Host AB sold a majority stake in Swedish hotels. Marriott introduced a new design for Courtyard in Berlin. The Standard International launching The StandardX in Melbourne, Australia.

U.S. RevPAR Projected to Jump 4% in 2024

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.

OYO Plans to Repay Debt Prior to IPO

IHG Hotels & Resorts ventures into Thailand’s Golden Triangle with luxury properties, while Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok undergoes extensive renovations. Six Senses opens a new resort in the Maldives, and Accor expands its portfolio across the Pacific region. OYO plans to alleviate debt through a buyback process before its long-anticipated IPO, while Indian Hotels Company inaugurates Ginger Mumbai Airport and Sarovar Hotels & Resorts debuts in Gujarat. Atmosphere Core introduces new hires and strategic shifts in the Maldives, emphasizing culinary strategies and upcoming projects across various brands and locations.

Acapulco Hotel Owners Vow to Reopen After Hurricane

Apple Hospitality REIT reported a modest beat in 3Q results but lowered 4Q guidance due to higher expenses, offsetting improved RevPAR guidance. STR reported that for the week ending November 4, US RevPAR was down by -2.1%, with a -4% decrease in occupancy, and a -7.4% drop in Group RevPAR. Latin America's hotel construction pipeline shows growth with 579 projects and 95,144 rooms in Q3 2023, up 6% in projects and 5% in rooms year-over-year, with Mexico leading the way.

Asia's Hotel Market Expands with Key Partnerships

STR reported strong hotel performance in China, with an 88.7% year-over-year increase in RevPAR for the week ending October 28th. The region is showing signs of rapid post-pandemic recovery, reaching occupancy levels similar to Europe and America. Macau recorded over 22.72 million visitor arrivals, with a recent increase in daily arrivals, and the first 10 months of the year reaching 68% of 2019 levels. Various hotel-related developments and partnerships were announced by brands like IHG, Accor, and CapitaLand Ascott Trust across Asia, including new property openings, divestments, and expansions, highlighting continued growth in the region's hospitality industry.

Business Travel Close to a Full Recovery

JP Morgan downgraded IHG Hotels & Resorts from Neutral to Underweight, favoring Premier Inn owner Whitbread in the European hotels sector. Canada has 275 hotel construction projects with 37,780 rooms in its pipeline, with 22 new projects announced in Q3. Ontario leads with 160 projects, and Toronto has the most projects with 61. A total of 16 new hotels opened in the first three quarters of 2023, with more expected in the last quarter and beyond. The latest GBTA Business Travel Outlook Poll reports that domestic business travel bookings have reached 75% of 2019 levels, while international bookings are at 70%. Spending on domestic business travel is at 77%, and international spend is at 74%.