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U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE improved in the first week of October due to school breaks and extended holiday weekend, but the performance was mixed when compared to 2019, according to STR. Hotel performance during weekdays declined due to Yom Kippur as expected. Post-Hurricane Ian demand in Florida also boosted the performance. Occupancy was 68.2 percent for the week ending Oct. 8, up from 66.4 percent the week before and decreased 3.5 percent from 2019. ADR was $153.79 during the week, increased from $149.71 the week before and up 16.9 percent from three years ago. RevPAR reached $104.83 in the first week of October, up from $99.36 the week before and increased 12.8 percent from 2019. Orlando reported the highest occupancy increase among STR's top 25 markets, up 1.9 percent to 73.6 percent, over 2019.

VISION HOSPITALITY GROUP recently broke ground on its Embassy Suites by Hilton in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The seven-story 184-suite Embassy Suites will be developed for $54 million and includes rooftop and street-level bars and a coffee area in an open lobby. The project also includes a leasable restaurant space and 5,000 total square feet of meeting space, Vision said in a statement. Vision said it will bring an economic boost to the destination with more than 100 jobs ranging from senior management positions, guest service agents, housekeepers and others. With a construction timeline of approximately two years led by Humphreys and Associates Contractors, LLC, the hotel is expected to open in the summer of 2025. "We are thrilled to begin construction on this project in our hometown of Chattanooga, just steps from our company headquarters," said Mitch Patel, Vision's president and CEO. "This project is our first Embassy Suites hotel, and we know the brand's value-added services are a perfect fit for this location welcoming both corporate and leisure travelers." Embassy Suites by Hilton, one of Hilton's 19 brands. Amenities will include a fitness center and an evening reception. Embassy Suites by Hilton has more than 260 open hotels, with 42 properties under development. The Embassy Suites Chattanooga is one among 15 projects in Vision's development pipeline expected to open in the next two years. The company's portfolio comprises 16 properties in Greater Chattanooga and 41 nationwide, the statement added.

ALL PERFORMANCE METRICS of U.S. hotels improved in the fourth week of July and RevPAR reached an all-time high on a nominal basis during the week, according to STR. Occupancy was the highest since early August 2019 in the week. Occupancy was 72.8 percent for the week ending July 23, up from 72 percent the week before and dropped 6 percent from 2019. ADR was $158.79 for the week, up from $157.23 the week before and increased 16.4 percent from three years ago. RevPAR reached $115.59 during the week, up from $113.28 the week before and increased 9.3 percent from 2019. Among STR's top 25 markets, Orlando reported the only occupancy increase, up 2.2 percent to 81.8 percent, over 2019. San Diego (87.1 percent) led the markets in absolute occupancy during the week, followed by Oahu Island (86.2 percent) and Seattle (85.7 percent). San Diego also posted the largest ADR gain, increased 40.5 percent to $286.50, over 2019.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE bounced back in the third week of July after two consecutive weeks of lower demand due to the Independence Day holiday, according to STR. Occupancy was 72 percent for the week ending July 16, up from 63.3 percent the week before and dropped 7.4 percent from 2019. ADR was $157.23 for the week, up from $153.71 the week before and increased 14.9 percent from three years ago. RevPAR reached $113.28 during the week, up from $97.37 the week before and increased 6.4 percent from 2019. San Diego reported the only occupancy increase among STR's top 25 markets during the week, up 1 percent to 89.9 percent, over 2019. According to STR, San Diego (89.9 percent), Oahu Island (87.2 percent) and Seattle (85.8 percent) led the major markets in absolute occupancy. Miami posted the largest ADR gain, up 29.9 percent to $204.15, over three years ago. Only San Francisco reported an ADR decrease, down 4.1 percent to $229.24, compared to 2019.

U.S. HOTELS REPORTED record-high monthly room rates on a nominal basis in July, according to STR. RevPAR on a nominal basis hit an all-time high during the month and occupancy was the second highest since August 2019. However, performance dipped some in the third week of August on a weekly basis, but performance improved during the week over 2019. Occupancy was 69.6 percent in July, down from 70.1 percent in June and down 5.4 percent from three years ago. ADR was $159.08 during the month, up from 155.04 in June and up 17.5 percent over 2019. RevPAR reached $110.73 in July, up from $108.64 the month before and increased 11.2 percent three years ago. At the same time, occupancy dropped to 67.3 percent for the week ending August 20, down from 68.5 percent the week before and dropped 3.9 percent from 2019. ADR was $150.96 for the week, decreased from $152.34 the week before and increased 16.7 percent from three years ago. RevPAR reached $101.59 during the week, fell from $104.30 the week before and increased 12.2 percent from 2019.

MONTHS OF RUMOR were confirmed true when Choice Hotels International on Wednesday announced it has proposed to acquire Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in an approximately $9.8 billion transaction. The proposal to Wyndham stockholders came after months of negotiations broke down and Wyndham's board of directors voted to decline Choice's offer, calling it "underwhelming" and risky. AAHOA also issued a statement saying it has "high concern" that a Choice/Wyndham merger would give one franchiser too much dominance over the economy/limited service hotel segment. The proposal In its announcement of the proposal, Choice said it sought to acquire all the outstanding shares of Wyndham at a price of $90 per share, payable in a mix of cash and stock. Shareholders would receive $49.50 in cash and 0.324 shares of Choice common stock for each Wyndham share they own. Choice claims that is a 26 percent premium to Wyndham's 30-day volume-weighted average closing price ending on Oct. 16, an 11 percent premium to Wyndham's 52-week high, and a 30 percent premium to Wyndham's latest closing price.

EXTENDED-STAY HOTELS OUTPEFORMED the broader hotel industry across all performance metrics in October, marking a notably strong month for the sector, according to The Highland Group. Extended-stay supply outpaced demand, leading to a decrease in occupancy. However, the decline was less pronounced than the overall hotel industry, where STR/CoStar reported a drop in demand compared to the previous year. Furthermore, the metrics of extended-stay hotels, including ADR, RevPAR, and revenues, demonstrated stronger growth compared to their counterparts in the broader hotel industry, The Highland Group said. The 2.2 percent net rise in extended-stay room supply in October, consistent with September, represents a modest increase compared to the average over the past 16 months. However, October marked the 25th consecutive month of 4 percent or less supply growth, significantly below the long-term average. The 12 percent surge in economy extended-stay supply, coupled with a reduction in mid-price segment rooms, primarily results from conversions, as new construction in the economy segment is estimated at around 2 percent of rooms compared to a year ago, the report added.

U.S. hotel performance has declined in the fourth week of October compared to the previous week, according to CoStar. However, year-over-year comparisons revealed positive results. Occupancy came in at 66 percent for the week ending Oct. 28, slightly lower than the previous week's 69 percent, but with year-over-year growth of 0.7 percent. ADR dropped to $160.89, down from the previous week's $165.32, yet showing a notable 3.9 percent increase from the previous year. Similarly, RevPAR saw a decrease, reaching $106.16 compared to the previous week's $114.04, but reflecting a solid 4.6 percent rise from 2022. Among the top 25 markets, Minneapolis saw the largest year-over-year increase in occupancy, rising by 12.7 percent to reach 64.5 percent.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE saw a significant increase in the first week of December compared to the previous week, with improvements in hotel occupancy, ADR and RevPAR, according to CoStar. Year-over-year results also reflected positive trends. Occupancy rose to 58.7 percent for the week ending Dec. 9, up from the previous week's 54.2 percent, reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 1.1 percent. ADR increased to $153.36, compared to the previous week's $144.88, showing a 4.5 percent uptick from the prior year. RevPAR also soared to $89.98, compared to the prior week's $78.54, indicating a 3.3 percent decrease from the corresponding period in 2022. Among the top 25 markets, Boston saw the largest year-over-year occupancy increase, surging by 4.1 percent to 72.7 percent. Helped by Miami Art Week and Art Basel, Miami reported significant increases in ADR, soaring 48.8 percent to $314.55, and RevPAR, jumping 67 percent to $262.16.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE stayed below the levels of the previous week as anticipated, according to CoStar. Occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR all saw declines compared to the preceding week. However, year-over-year comparisons remained positive. Occupancy dropped to 54.7 percent for the week ending Dec. 16, down from the previous week's 58.7 percent, but reflected a year-over-year increase of 1.1 percent. ADR decreased to $142.62, compared to the previous week's $153.36, showing a 4.7 percent uptick from the prior year. RevPAR also declined to $77.99, compared to the prior week's $89.98, indicating a 5.8 percent increase from the corresponding period in 2022. Among the top 25 markets, San Francisco saw the largest year-over-year increases in all three key performance metrics: occupancy surged by 32.0 percent to 70.2 percent, ADR soared 21.5 percent to $223.78, and RevPAR increased by 60.3 percent to $157.14.

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL is accusing the board of directors for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts of not being forthcoming with the company's shareholders regarding Choice's exchange offer to acquire Wyndham. In its counter to the Wyndham board's rejection of the offer, Choice took issue with Wyndham's concerns about getting regulatory approval for the deal and said Wyndham shareholders support the "industrial merits of a transaction." In its original proposal, made public in October, Choice said it sought to acquire all the outstanding shares of Wyndham at a price of $90 per share and shareholders would have received $49.50 in cash and 0.324 shares of Choice common stock for each Wyndham share they own. Choice claimed that is a 30 percent premium to Wyndham's 30-day volume-weighted average closing price ending on Oct. 16, an 11 percent premium to Wyndham's 52-week high, and a 30 percent premium to Wyndham's latest closing price. Wyndham's board unanimously rejected Choice's proposal, calling it unsolicited, "highly conditional" and not in the best interest of shareholders. On Nov. 14, however, Choice sent a letter to the Wyndham board with an "enhanced proposal" intended to address Wyndham's concerns about clearing federal regulations. On Dec. 12, Choice launched its public exchange offer to acquire Wyndham and on Dec. 19 the Wyndham board officially rejected the offer and urged shareholders not to tender shares for the deal.

A STRONG PERFORMANCE by U.S. hotels during the first quarter of 2022, along with other factors, are leading CBRE Hotels Research to raise its forecast for the rest of the year. The research firm now expects a full recovery in ADR in 2022 and in demand and RevPAR in 2023. First quarter RevPAR reached $72.20, up 61 percent from year earlier, despite a surge from the COVID-19 omicron variant, according to CBRE. RevPAR growth was driven by a 39 percent increase in ADR and a 16 percent increase in occupancy. ADR was 5 percent ahead of 2019's levels, marking the third consecutive quarter in which levels exceed the same period in 2019. These rising rates demonstrate that travelers aren't price-sensitive in many peak-demand markets.

ATLANTA-BASED FIRM Hospitality Lodging Systems added 73 hotels with 5,967 rooms in 2021. The firm posted a 16 percent increase in hotels and 21 percent hike in rooms compared to last year, a statement said. In 2020, HLS had 63 hotels with 4,929 rooms. HLS said that of these properties, 42 hotels containing 4,201 rooms operate under the Budgetel Inn & Suites brand, 21 with 1,171 rooms operate under the AmeriVu Inn & Suites brand and 10 hotels containing 595 rooms operate as a Haven Hotel. "We are attracting owners who want to keep more of the money they earn, which is especially appealing in today's post-pandemic marketplace when improving ROI is a top priority," said Doug Collins, chairman and CEO of HLS. "Our business model gives owners the freedom to operate their properties in their own way, with some administrative and marketing help but without mandated style changes and amenity upgrades that drive up costs."

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE dropped in the first week of June compared to the week before due to the expected slowdown following the Memorial Day holiday, according to STR. However, ADR increased for the week compared to 2019. Occupancy was 63.2 percent for the week ending June 4, down from 66.5 percent the week before and dropped 12.1 percent from 2019. ADR was $147.35 for the week, down from $151.73 the week before and up 11.3 percent from three years ago. RevPAR reached $93.16 during the week, decreased from $100.97 the week before and dropped 2.2 percent from 2019. None of STR's top 25 markets showed an occupancy increase over 2019 during the post Memorial Day week. Orlando came closest to its pre-pandemic levels, down just 2.5 percent to 68.9 percent, and Miami posted the largest ADR gain, up 37.8 percent to $209.55.

THE REVPAR OF U.S. hotels reached an all-time weekly high on a nominal basis in the second week of June as performance jumped, according to STR. The ADR and occupancy levels were the second and third highest of the pandemic-era, respectively, during the week. Occupancy was 70.6 percent for the week ending June 11, up from 63.2 percent the week before and dropped 4.1 percent from 2019. ADR was $155.37 for the week, up from $147.35 the week before and increased 15.4 percent from three years ago. RevPAR reached $109.76 during the week, up from $93.16 the week before and up 10.7 percent from 2019. According to STR, the top 25 markets posted their highest metrics since the beginning of the pandemic in aggregate during June's second week. Leading the major markets in absolute occupancy for the week were Seattle with 85.2 percent, San Francisco/San Mateo with 84.3 percent and New York with 85.1 percent.

IN THE FIRST week of February, U.S. weekly hotel occupancy eclipsed 50 percent for the first time in more than a month, according to STR. However, occupancy declined for the week under review when compared to the same period in 2019. Occupancy was 50.4 percent for the week ending Feb. 5, up from 49.7 percent the week before and down 15.8 percent from the comparable week in 2019. ADR was $125.06 for the week, up from $122.40 the week before and down just 1.2 percent from two years ago. RevPAR reached $63.05 during the week under review, up from $60.82 the week before and down 16.8 percent from the same period two years ago. According to the report, none of STR's top 25 markets recorded an occupancy increase over 2019. Norfolk/Virginia Beach came closest to its pre-pandemic level, down just 0.6 percent to 47.3 percent.

THE BAIRD/STR Hotel Stock Index was down 2.5 percent in February 2023 as the focus turned to earnings and initial 2023 outlooks, according to STR. Investors' confidence also was boosted some by strong fourth quarter results and rising demand. During the month, the Baird/STR Index surpassed both the S&P 500, down 2.6 percent and the MSCI US REIT Index, fell 4.9 percent, STR said in a report. Meanwhile, the index jumped 16.4 percent in January. According to the STR, the Hotel Brand sub-index decreased 1.2 percent from January to 10,219, while the Hotel REIT sub-index dropped 7 percent to 1,130. "Hotel stocks, just like the broader market, pulled back in February as the focus turned to earnings and initial 2023 outlooks," said Michael Bellisario, senior hotel research analyst and director at Baird. "The global hotel brand stocks, while down slightly during the month, outperformed the S&P 500 on the heels on strong fourth quarter earnings reports and guidance that matched expectations; hotel REITs were weaker and relatively underperformed as investors focused on somewhat mixed fourth quarter earnings reports and 2023 guidance that embedded heightened expense pressures and outsized renovation disruption."

HELPED BY THE onset of spring break travel, U.S. hotels' performance bettered in the second week of March from the previous week, according to STR's latest data through 11 March. The top 25 markets were up on a weekly basis but still behind 2019 levels. Occupancy for the week ending March 11 came in at 64.7 percent up from 62.8 percent the week before, 2.8 percent more than the comparable week in 2022 and 7.5 percent below the comparable week in 2019. ADR stood at $158.20, up from $151.35 the previous week and also up 8.1 percent and 16.6 percent over the same month in 2022 and 2019, respectively. RevPAR was reported at $102.38, up from $95.06 the previous week, and an increase of 11.1 percent and 7.8 percent over the same month in 2022 and 2019. Among the top 25 markets, Washington, D.C., witnessed the highest year-over-year occupancy increase compared to 2019, up 21.8 percent to 67.6 percent. However, none of the Top 25 Markets saw an occupancy lift over 2019. Meanwhile, D.C. also registered the most substantial ADR increase at $183.86 against 2019, up 23.4 percent. D.C.'s RevPAR rate also climbed up 50.2 percent to $124.33 year-over-year. Anaheim reported the highest ADR increase for spring break week, up 51.4 percent to US$245.62 and RevPAR rose 42.2 percent to $189.81, when measuring against 2019.

BWH HOTEL GROUP will offer cashless tipping to guests via eTip and Visa. The function will allow guests to express gratitude to hotel associates through pre-selected or custom tipping in the U.S. and Canada. The eTip process will be available at properties of the group, including Best Western Hotels & Resorts and SureStay Hotel Group hotels, the statement added. BWH said the new facility will empower guests to financially give to those who rely on tips as latest reports revealed that only 16 percent of U.S. customers carry cash. "We are committed to providing the best possible experience for our guests and bringing value to BWH hoteliers and their associates," said Michael Morton, BWH vice president for brand management. "We're excited to offer eTip digital tipping solution as a convenient way our valued guests can show appreciation to our dedicated hotel associates. We are equally excited to offer our associates a choice to receive their tips in real-time directly into their bank accounts. Innovation and caring are at the heart of our brand and we're proud to partner with eTip to innovate the tipping experience for guests and hoteliers alike."

NEARLY 80 PERCENT of travelers said that the latest COVID-19 variant, BA5, is unlikely to make them cancel or postpone international travel this year, according to a survey from travel risk assessment firm Global Rescue. At the same time, Global Rescue said relaxed COVID-19 recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could encourage travelers' confidence. The floodgates are opening The Summer 2022 Global Rescue Traveler Safety and Sentiment Survey found that 68 percent of respondents have already traveled internationally since the pandemic. Another 16 percent expects to travel abroad by the end of the year and 9 percent plan to do so in the first quarter of 2023. "Whether it's revenge travel or responsible travel following vaccination, or a combination of both, 7-out-of-10 travelers are much less concerned about travel compared to the beginning of the pandemic," said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce. "They feel safe enough to plan trips and vacations because they're vaccinated, borders are open, and they have confidence they'll be able to get home if the worst happens." The U.S. ending its requirement for a negative COVID test to enter the country in June also went far in increasing confidence and encouraging visits from international travelers, Richards said. Nearly half of travelers, 49 percent, said that they are more likely to travel internationally in the next 12 months as COVID related restrictions are relaxed.