IHG Hotels & Resorts

Top U.S. hotel construction markets in Q3 2023: Dallas, Atlanta, Nashville, Phoenix, and the Inland Empire lead in the number of projects and rooms. Hotel renovation and conversion pipeline activity remains strong with 1,912 hotels and 285,568 rooms currently undergoing renovations. Notable openings and developments include the Candlewood Extended Stay Suites in Kennesaw, Avenue Hotels & Residences in Coral Gables, Hotel Lucine in Galveston, and Radisson RED Helsinki.

Asian ultraluxury resort companies are expanding into Japan to cater to wealthy overseas travelers and take advantage of the weak yen, with Soneva Holdings planning to open resorts in Japan by 2027 and investing 100 billion yen in new properties. Foreign investment in Japanese hotels increased significantly in recent years, with 2022 seeing a sixfold increase compared to the previous year, and an expected total of 128.5 billion yen in investments in the first six months of the current year. International hotel brands like InterContinental, Wyndham, Marriott, Hyatt, and Accor are actively expanding their presence in various regions, including India, Vietnam, China, Thailand, and Australia, offering a diverse range of accommodations and amenities.

Choice Hotels has urged Wyndham Hotels to consider a merger, but Wyndham has firmly declined any interest in the proposal. The chairman of Wyndham revealed they almost acquired Choice Hotels 20 years ago. The U.S. construction pipeline shows growth, with over 5,700 projects and 672,000 rooms, driven by a strong upper midscale chain scale presence. Renovation and conversion projects are on the rise, and new hotel openings are expected to increase in the coming years. Several hotel and resort projects are underway, including Westin Washington, DC Downtown, Opry Entertainment Group's renovation in Austin, Four Seasons expanding its Private Retreats collection, and Tommy Bahama's debut resort in California. Additionally, new developments in Florida, Rhode Island, and Indiana are on the horizon.

HSBC initiates stock coverage in the leisure and travel sector, including Buy ratings for Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, and Host Hotels, along with Hold ratings for Park Hotels, Choice Hotels, and Service Properties Trust. Several hotel projects and acquisitions are highlighted, including the opening of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Portland, a new property by Maverick Hotels and Restaurants in Rockford, and North American Properties' approval for a Margaritaville hotel in Newport, Kentucky. Notable developments and changes in the international hotel industry, such as Adrian Messerli's promotion at Four Seasons, Hilton's plans to open Italy's first LXR Hotels & Resorts property, and Riu Hotels and Resorts opening a new all-inclusive resort in Jamaica next year.

IHG reported strong earnings, including a 10.5% increase in Group RevPAR, but disappointed shareholders by deferring capital returns. The US group business is rebounding well, with top markets nearly fully recovered to 2019 levels. Prominent cities like Austin, Nashville, and Denver exceeded 2019 figures. Various hotel developments and acquisitions are ongoing in different locations, reflecting the industry's resilience and growth prospects. Notably, TMGOC Ventures secured approval to introduce the first Ritz-Carlton in Savannah.

Truist expects strong international and group earnings in 3Q lodging reports but weak domestic leisure. CoStar reports higher hotel performance in September 2023, with New York City leading in occupancy. Several hotel transactions and developments are mentioned, including Omni Pontoque Resort and Alt Hotel Calgary University District.

JP Morgan expects strong international performance in 3Q23 RevPAR, net rooms, and pipeline growth, particularly driven by ADR gains. Truist discusses potential challenges and concerns in the Choice Hotels and Wyndham Hotels deal, including antitrust issues and franchisee resistance. US hotel industry reports a modest 0.8% YoY increase in RevPAR, with ADR compensating for soft occupancy; group RevPAR up 0.9% for the week ending 10/14.

Marriott expands into CNMI with the first Marriott hotel in the Northern Marianas Islands in 2025, partnering with Honest Profit International Ltd for management. YOHO Treasure Island Resorts World Hotel in Macau announces its official opening after a four-month soft opening period, offering 600 rooms initially, and Melia Hotels International plans to open ME by Melia hotel in Guangzhou, Asia Pacific, in 2027. DigiPlus Interactive Corp backpedals on plans to develop land in Boracay, Philippines, after a public dispute with former partner Galaxy Entertainment Group.

Efforts to attract Chinese tourists to Southeast Asia are falling short, with drops in arrivals to Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam; Thailand's visa exemption offers a temporary boost. Numerous hotel developments across Asia include expansions by Amora Group, partnerships in Malaysia and Indonesia, and potential property transformations in Singapore and Australia. DigiPlus Interactive Corp. aims to resurrect a $500 million casino resort on Boracay Island, hoping for favorable response from the Marcos administration.

Baird provides insights into investor sentiment and expectations for 2024 RevPAR growth among hotel brands. Several hotel renovation and construction projects are announced, including a new Westin Resort in Cocoa Beach, Florida, and a Ritz Carlton Residences in Lake Woodlands, Texas. Multiple hotel acquisitions and developments are highlighted, such as the Kastrati Group's acquisition of SLS Brickell in Miami and IHG Hotels & Resorts introducing the Kimpton brand in Portugal with Kimpton Algarve Sao Rafael Atlantico.