Marriott International

Jefferies downgraded Marriott Vacations to "Hold" from "Buy" and reduced their target price, expressing concerns over the macroeconomic outlook, particularly in consumer credit and interest rates. The 2023 survey from the Hospitality Asset Managers Association indicates optimism about RevPAR's return to 2019 levels, while various hotels announce new completions, renovations, and sales across the U.S. Key personnel appointments are announced in major hotel groups, and international brands like Wyndham, Accor, and Hyatt unveil expansion plans and new properties in locations such as Barbados, France, and Spain.

U.S. hotel industry saw positive growth in RevPAR and rates for the week ending September 30, with Group RevPAR showing significant improvement. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is expanding its branded residence portfolio especially in Europe. Various hotel projects and developments are underway in different locations, including downtown Springfield, Norfolk, San Antonio, Beaufort, and Las Vegas, with a range of amenities and timelines.

Wedbush initiated coverage on lodging REITs, with Ryman Hospitality and Host Hotels receiving Outperform ratings and price targets of $94 and $19, respectively. Park Hotels and Pebblebrook Hotel Trust were initiated with Neutral ratings and price targets of $13 and $14, respectively. Keybanc downgraded Airbnb's rating to Sector Weight from Overweight. A report by Morning Consult indicates that the "revenge travel" trend may be declining, with travel intentions increasing in some countries but declining in others, particularly in Europe. China is experiencing a significant surge in travel, driven by pent-up demand.

Somm Hotel and Spa in Woodinville, Washington, part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, is set to open in the summer of 2025 as part of a $700 million development. Home2 Suites by Hilton Houston/Katy in Texas completed renovations, featuring upgraded guestrooms and amenities. The Balbin Bros. Cigar Factory in Tampa, Florida, is undergoing transformation into a 70-room boutique hotel, aiming to open by March 2025 while preserving its historical value.

Barclays expects a weak quarter for lodging REITs in 3Q23 and adjusted price targets for several hotel stocks. Various hotels across the US, including Marriott Vail and Signia by Hilton Atlanta, are undergoing construction or renovation. Hyatt Hotels plans to launch a vacation rental platform, Homes & Hideaways, while Sonesta opens a new hotel in Houston and Mandarina Oriental expands into Zurich.

The 434-room Conrad Seoul, a Hilton-branded hotel in South Korea, is back on the market for $750 million. Hyatt Hotels Corporation has inaugurated the Hyatt Place Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Jalil, Malaysia's first Hyatt Place and the first international hotel in the Bukit Jalil area. Iconic Penang Sdn Bhd is developing the Iconic Marjorie Hotel, a 298-room five-star Marriott property in Penang, Malaysia.

STR reported a week ending September 23rd with a 1.2% increase in US hotel RevPAR and a 1.8% rise in Group RevPAR. Barclays lowered price targets for Travel + Leisure to $38 and Marriott Vacations to $118 while maintaining their respective ratings. Marriott International revealed a three-year growth plan, targeting the addition of 230,000 to 270,000 net rooms by 2025 and emphasizing global portfolio expansion and RevPAR growth.

Corporate travel data company TRIPBAM reports a 25% increase in booking volumes for US travel in mid-September compared to 2022, with expectations of a return to pre-Covid levels by the end of the quarter and surpassing them in 2024, albeit slower in tech-heavy San Francisco. The third edition of the Hospitality Industry Sentiment survey shows a shift in expectations, with group demand and major events on the rise, while labor costs and supply challenges remain top concerns for the hotel industry. Various hotels announce renovations and openings, including Le Meridien Tampa, Springhill Suites Truckee, Hotel Dena Pasadena, Omni Charlottesville Hotel, and a new hotel project in East Austin. Nashville International Airport opens a new international arrivals facility, and citizenM appoints Rani Gharbie to lead its Americas expansion. Ennismore aims to change the reputation of all-inclusive resorts, and LEGOLAND Windsor Resort announces a LEGO Woodland-themed holiday village. London & Regional is close to acquiring the Kempinski Hotel Bahia in Estepona, Spain.

The GBTA Business Travel Outlook shows Asia Pacific is forecast for significant growth, with travel spending gaining 41% to US$567 billion this year. Trip.com said outbound travel order for the upcoming Golden Week increased nearly 20 times, and domestic travel increased more than four times over the Golden Week period last year. Accor announced their Novotel brand’s fiftieth hotel opening in Greater China with its newest destination, Novotel Xi’an Aden.

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.