Missouri

IHG Expands Portfolio in Mexico

IHG Hotels & Resorts is significantly expanding its luxury and lifestyle portfolio in Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean, with multiple new openings planned through 2027, including properties from its Six Senses, InterContinental, Kimpton, Vignette Collection, and Hotel Indigo brands.

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%.

Marriott Lays Out Three-Year Growth Plans

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.

Marriott's New Midscale Brand Is Called StudioRes

MAR and HLT lodging stocks hit new highs, while several stock targets and ratings were adjusted. Q2 2023 shows a total construction pipeline of 552 projects/88,477 rooms in Latin America. Mexico leads with 213 projects/33,853 rooms. Marriott International dominates the franchise scene with 116 projects/18,733 rooms. Project MidX Studios is renamed StudioRes by MAR for the US and Canada market.