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U.S. HOTEL LEISURE travel revenue is projected to rise 14 percent this year over pre-pandemic levels and business travel revenue is expected to be within 1 percent of 2019 range, according to a report by the American Hotel & Lodging Association and Kalibri Labs. However, these projections are not adjusted for inflation, and real hotel revenue recovery may take many years, a statement said. Among the top 50 U.S. markets, 80 percent are projected to see hotel leisure travel revenue exceed 2019 levels, but just 40 percent are expected reach that milestone for business travel revenue. Many urban markets are yet to recover due to their dependence on business from events and group meetings, the report said. All markets in the top 10 are likely to report increase in leisure travel revenue except New York, Washington and San Francisco. Whereas, in business travel revenue only Orlando, Las Vegas and San Diego will end up this year in green among the top 10.

U.S. EXTENDED-STAY hotels posted record high demand in January and monthly RevPAR was up by more than one third mainly due to record ADR growth during the period over 2021, according to hotel investment advisors The Highland Group. Occupancy extended-stay hotels also remained high in the month when compared to the overall hotel industry's long-term average. The supply growth of 3.5 percent in January further indicated that mid-price and upscale supply increases should be well below pre-pandemic levels during the near term, according to "U.S. Extended-Stay Hotels Bulletin: January 2022" report by Highland Group. It is the fourth consecutive month of 4 percent or lower supply growth. The report said that the overall hotel industry lost far more revenue than extended-stay hotels in 2020 and 2021, so it is now recovering revenue more quickly. Besides, overall hotel industry lost far more RevPAR than extended-stay hotels in 2020, its RevPAR growth in January this year compared to last year was considerably greater.

U.S. EXTENDED-STAY HOTELS set new records for demand, ADR, RevPAR and room revenues in the fourth quarter of 2022, according to a report from hotel investment advisors The Highland Group. Also, the report showed rate resistance is apparent at lower price points due to recession and the economy extended-stay segment reported nine consecutive months of declining demand and three successive quarterly falls in occupancy. According to the Highland Group's "U.S. Extended-Stay Hotels: Fourth Quarter 2022" report, mid-price extended-stay hotels reported their second consecutive quarterly decline in occupancy in fourth quarter. Similar occupancy declines occurred for about two years starting in mid-2015 before ADR growth moderated and occupancy recovered. Extended-stay hotel supply growth was the lowest since 2013 during the quarter, below its long-term historical average for 20 consecutive quarters. The last time extended-stay supply growth was consistently near its current level was from 2010 fourth quarter through third quarter of 2014. "Extended-stay hotel RevPAR was more than 12 percent higher than in fourth quarter of 2019. There were 567,770 extended-stay hotel rooms open at the end of the quarter. Excluding 2020, the 6,481 net gain in rooms open over the last year was the lowest annual increase since 2012. Room nights available increased 1.2 percent over the last year which was the smallest annual gain in supply for nine years," the report said. "Fractional net economy and upscale segment supply gains compared to 2021 are largely due to re-branding moving rooms between segments in our database, de-flagging of hotels which no longer meet brand standards, as well as the sales of some hotels to multi-family apartment companies and municipalities."

THE COLLECTIVE RECOVERY indices of U.S. extended-stay hotels exceeded 100 percent in November for the first time in 2021, according to hotel investment advisors Highland Group. The strongest gains were reported by mid-price and upscale extended-stay hotels. Economy extended-stay hotels continue to lead the RevPAR recovery during the month with a 22 percent gain compared to two years ago, according to "U.S. Extended-stay Hotels Bulletin: November 2021" report from the Highland Group. According to the report, the 4 percent increase in extended-stay room supply in November tied with October as the lowest monthly gain in 2021. "The impact to supply growth from reopening hotels closed during the pandemic is effectively over. Early indications are that mid-price and upscale supply growth should be well below pre-pandemic levels during the near term," the report said. "The overall hotel industry lost far more revenue than extended-stay hotels in 2020, so it is now recovering revenue more quickly." STR reported that all hotel room revenue was up 110 percent in November compared to a year ago.

U.S. EXTENDED-STAY HOTEL room revenues increased by $1.1 billion in 2023, similar to 2018 and 2019, though with a lower relative gain due to a larger room base, according to The Highland Group. All three extended-stay segments reported record-high room revenues in 2023, with the upscale segment leading despite previously lagging behind the pandemic recovery. The 6.1 percent increase in extended-stay hotel revenues outpaced the corresponding 5.5 percent gain reported by STR/CoStar for the overall hotel industry, the report said. However, extended-stay hotel supply experienced its smallest annual increase on record in 2023, at just 1.8 percent. Factors such as re-branding, de-flagging of non-compliant hotels, and sales to other sectors influenced supply fluctuations, a trend expected to persist into the first half of 2024, particularly with older extended-stay hotels remaining on the market. The report also highlighted a 6.6 percent increase in economy extended-stay supply, alongside modest gains in mid-price and upscale segments, primarily driven by conversions. New construction in the economy segment is estimated at around 3 percent of rooms open compared to one year ago.

ALL RECOVERY INDICES of U.S. extended-stay hotels were lower compared to 2019 in May than in April, according to hotel investment advisors The Highland Group. The demand for economy extended-stay hotels declined 1.3 percent for the second consecutive month in May compared to same period last year mainly due to sharp increase in ADR in last few months, the report said. The U.S. Extended-Stay Hotels Bulletin: May 2022 by The Highland Group said that the extended-stay room supply growth was just 1.9 percent during the month. It is the second successive month that the growth was below 2 percent since 2013, and the eighth consecutive month of 4 percent or lower supply growth. The report added that the supply increase will be well below pre-pandemic levels during the near term. According to STR, all hotel room revenue was up 43 percent in May 2022 compared to last year. "In May, mid-price and upscale extended-stay segments reported their lowest monthly change in demand in 2022. Except for February 2021, due to the leap year in 2020, economy extended-stay hotels reported only the second monthly fall in demand in 23 consecutive months," the report said. "Overall hotel occupancy gained more than extended-stay hotels in May compared to one year ago, decreasing extended-stay hotel's occupancy premium to 12 percentage points, and remains within its long-term average range."

EXTENDED-STAY ROOM revenue rose 3.4 percent in the first half of 2024 and 5.1 percent in the second quarter, while occupancy decreased 0.2 percent in the first half but increased 1 percent during the second quarter, according to The Highland Group. The second quarter also saw the highest quarterly RevPAR increase in a year, an 11-point occupancy premium over all hotels and the most rooms under construction in four years. The 2024 mid-year U.S. extended-stay Lodging Market report found that all three extended-stay hotel segments reported record-high room revenues in the first half and for the second quarter. Revenue growth in extended-stay hotels is accelerating in 2024, with the second quarter's increase more than three times that of the first quarter, the report said. The 5.1 percent revenue increase in the second quarter significantly outpaces the 3 percent gain reported for the overall hotel industry by STR/CoStar. "Despite headline grabbing large increases in extended-stay rooms under construction, the annualized increase in room nights available over the next year should be well below the long-term average and the near-term risk of over supply nationally is very low," said Mark Skinner, The Highland Group's partner.

U.S. EXTENDED-STAY HOTELS continued their good performance in all measures of performance in April compared to 2019 and higher than in March, according to hotel investment advisors The Highland Group. Due to seasonal increases in leisure travel, the upscale extended-stay hotels benefited the most from the greatest lift in recovery indices except ADR. Meanwhile, mid-price extended-stay hotels achieved the strongest monthly gains in ADR and room revenues compared to April 2021, the U.S. Extended-Stay Hotels Bulletin: April 2022 report said. Economy extended-stay hotels continued the lead the recovery compared to 2019, but, demand declined 1.4 percent in April this year compared to April 2021, mainly due to strong increases in ADR over several months. "The 1.8 percent increase in extended-stay room supply in April is the first month supply growth reported below 2 percent since 2013 and the seventh consecutive month of 4 percent or lower supply growth. It is likely that the supply increases should be well below pre-pandemic levels during the near term," the report said.

U.S. EXTENDED-STAY hotels experienced their first quarterly decline in RevPAR since the first quarter of 2021, according to The Highland Group. In the first quarter, the segment saw a 1.6 percent drop in RevPAR, despite a 1.5 percent increase in revenues. Demand increased by 1.7 percent, contrasting with a 2.8 percent fall in total hotel demand when excluding upper upscale and luxury segments. STR/CoStar estimated that overall hotel RevPAR, excluding upper upscale and luxury segments, which have minimal extended-stay room supply, increased by 1.3 percent in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The Highland Group's 2024 First Quarter U.S. Extended-Stay Hotels report indicated that overall hotel RevPAR and room revenues declined by 1.1 percent and 0.9 percent year-to-date, respectively, excluding upper upscale and luxury segments.

MORE THAN EIGHT in ten hotels in the U.S. experienced difficulties in operations due to supply chain disruptions, according to a survey. Nearly three in four hotel operators say the disruptions are negatively impacting their business revenue. The American Hotel & Lodging Association conducted the survey among more than 500 AHLA members during Nov. 8 to 22. More than half, 52 percent, of respondents said that the problem became worse over the past three months, and 74 percent said supply chain issues are having a negative impact on business revenue. The impact on operations could have repercussions for employment, underscoring the need for targeted federal relief for hotel employees, such as the Save Hotel Jobs Act, according to AHLA. "Hotels have a complex supply chain that requires regular procurement of a wide range of goods and services each day. And whether it's production backups or shipping delays, supply chain disruptions are compounding hotels' existing problems and increasing operating costs during an already tough time," said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA. "This survey highlights just how widespread these challenges are for hoteliers. That's why now is the time for Congress to pass the Save Hotel Jobs Act, so hotel employees can get the relief they need during these difficult times."

U.S. EXTENDED-STAY HOTELS posted record-high demand, ADR and RevPAR despite reporting a third consecutive occupancy decline during the third quarter of 2024, according to The Highland Group. Occupancy declines have been minimal and average occupancy remains more than 11 percentage points above the overall hotel industry year-to-date through the third quarter. The overall hotel industry saw a slightly smaller occupancy decline year-to-date through the third quarter than extended-stay hotels, according to STR/CoStar. The broader industry also posted stronger ADR growth, yielding a full percentage RevPAR gain, surpassing the 0.4 percent increase for extended-stay hotels. The 2024 Third Quarter US Extended-Stay Hotels Report found that the upper-upscale and luxury segments are helping lift overall hotel industry performance. With minimal extended-stay rooms in these categories, STR/CoStar data shows a 0.3 percent year-to-date RevPAR gain when they are excluded-closely aligning with extended-stay hotel performance.

THE 2020 COVID-influenced lodging industry recession resulted in some noticeable changes to the way hotels provide F&B service. Social distancing regulations forced operators to be creative in the way they served food and beverages to guests. Rising wage rates and sharp increases in the cost of food and beverage products compelled hotel managers to find ways to control costs. The inability of hotels to attract employees to fill the positions eliminated during the recession required creative solutions to improve productivity and offer more with less. These factors resulted in the following hotel food and beverage trends during the subsequent recovery period: The increased offering of kiosks and grab-and-go venues The closing of traditional three-meal-a-day restaurants A reduction in the menus, number of seats, and hours of remaining F&B venues Reductions in in-room dining and mini-bar service The conversion of food and beverage space to other revenue generating purposes To learn how these recent changes in hotel food and beverage operations have impacted revenues and expenses, we have analyzed the operating statements of 2,500 U.S. full-service, resort, and convention hotels that participated in CBRE's annual Trends in the Hotel Industry in 2021 and 2022. In 2022, these 2,500 properties averaged 285 rooms in size, and achieved an occupancy of 64.7 percent, along with an ADR of $225.60. To provide more current information, we also relied on the monthly operating statements of 1,200 properties during the period January through June of 2023.

U.S. EXTENDED-STAY HOTELS closed the year strong in December, particularly at lower price points, outpacing the overall industry in supply, demand, occupancy and revenue growth, according to The Highland Group. However, slower ADR gains led to a smaller RevPAR increase than in the broader industry. The Highland Group's U.S. Extended-Stay Hotels Bulletin: December 2024 reported economy extended-stay hotels saw their third consecutive monthly RevPAR increase, with December's 5.5 percent growth, the highest since June 2022. "December was another very good month for extended-stay hotels with positive change in RevPAR in eight of the last nine months despite accelerating supply growth," said Mark Skinner, The Highland Group's partner.

THE DEMAND PREMIUM that extended-stay hotels have experienced over the past two years compared to other types of hotels is beginning to ebb, according to consulting firm The Highland Group. Also, ADR growth decelerated for the fourth consecutive month in July but remains higher than any other period before 2021. The overall hotel industry revenue recovery is now only one half a point greater than extended-stay hotels, according to the US Extended-Stay Hotels Bulletin: July 2022 report by the Highland Group. According to STR, all hotel room revenue was up 12.1 percent in July this year compared to last year. "For the first time in more than two years all three extended-stay segments reported a monthly decline in demand compared to the previous year. Demand declines in economy and mid-price segments, which were less than corresponding falls for all hotels in the same rate categories, are mainly correlated to strong growth in ADR. The upscale segment's demand decline is correlated to both increasing ADR and the contraction in supply," the report said.

THE U.S. HOTEL industry is set to benefit from the General Services Administration's recent decision to raise per diem rates for fiscal year 2025. This is the first increase in the meals and incidental expenses allowance in three years, a change welcomed by AAHOA and the American Hotel and Lodging Association. Each year, GSA sets per diem rates to reimburse federal employees' lodging and meals expenses for official travel within the continental U.S., typically based on the ADR for lodging and meals over a trailing 12-month period, minus five percent. Starting Oct. 1, the standard daily lodging allowance for most of the continental U.S. will increase by $3 to $110, while the meals and incidental expenses allowance will rise by $9 to $68. "With government travel being a significant contributor to hotel revenue, it's crucial that federal per diem rates align with the economic pressures hotels face today, including persistent inflation and widespread labor shortages," said Miraj Patel, AAHOA's chairman.

U.S. HOTEL BOOKINGS for Dec. 21-25 are up 22 percent from last year, according to SiteMinder, a hotel distribution and revenue platform. The growth is driven by international bookings, which now account for 32 percent of total bookings, up from 28 percent during the same period in 2023, a more than 15 percent annual increase. The top five markets driving this growth are Canada, Germany, the UK, France, and Italy, SiteMinder data showed. "It's pleasing to see that U.S. hotels will be enjoying their share of Christmas cheer this year," said Trent Innes, SiteMinder's chief growth officer. "Increased bookings, driven by the strong return of international travel and continued confidence among domestic travelers, are also leading to longer stays and extended lead times. These positive trends present both an opportunity and a call to action for American hoteliers to provide tailored, seamless experiences this festive season, maximizing revenue while fostering loyalty and positive reviews."

THE STATE OF the U.S. hotel industry is strong going into 2024, according to American Hotel & Lodging Association's 2024 State of the Hotel Industry report. Average hotel occupancy is expected to reach nearly 63.6 percent in 2024, a slight increase from the 62.9 percent in 2023 but below the 65.8 percent rate recorded in 2019. Nominal RevPAR is also anticipated to rise to $101.82 in 2024, up by 4 percent from 2023 and over 17 percent from 2019. AHLA projects hotels will pay employees a record sum of over $123 billion in wages, salaries, and compensation in 2024, surpassing $118 billion in 2023 and $102 billion in 2019. Hotels are expected to add approximately 45,000 employees this year, while the industry's workforce remains nearly 225,000 below the almost 2.37 million employed in 2019, the AHLA report said. The report, projecting persistent challenges for hoteliers in the face of nationwide labor shortages as they approach 2019 occupancy levels, draws on data and analysis from Oxford Economics. It was developed in collaboration with AHLA Premier Partners: STR, Avendra, Ecolab, Encore, JLL, Oracle, and Towne Park.

U.S. EXTENDED-STAY HOTELS showed positive growth in April after a difficult first quarter, according to The Highland Group. Monthly room revenue growth was the highest in nearly a year, demand saw its strongest increase in 16 months, and ADR and RevPAR turned positive after two and four months of decline, respectively. "The performance of extended-stay hotels in April re-established the segment's long-term trend of increasing its market share of total hotel supply, demand and room revenues," said Mark Skinner, partner at The Highland Group. The extended-stay room supply grew 2.8 percent in April, slightly above the average monthly increase over the last two years, the report said. However, April marked 31 consecutive months of 4 percent or less supply growth, with annual supply change under 2 percent for two years-both metrics well below the long-term average.

U.S. HOTELS AIM to tap a surge in Indian tourists to boost revenue as domestic leisure spending slows and demand from East Asia remains below pre-pandemic levels, according to a Reuters report. Some hotels have adapted to Indian preferences by offering amenities like chai, samosas, and Indian TV channels. The growing Indian middle class, higher travel budgets, and increased flight capacity are driving the country's international travel boom, according to the report. Nearly 1.9 million Indian tourists visited the U.S. in the first ten months of 2024, a 48 percent increase from 2019, Reuters reported, citing data from the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office. The surge was driven by a 50 percent rise in visas issued for business visits and a 43.5 percent increase for leisure.

INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP reported a 3 percent increase in global RevPAR in the first half of 2024, with 3.2 percent growth in the second quarter, driven by a recovery in U.S. markets. ADR rose 2 percent, and occupancy increased by 0.6 percentage points in the first half, leading to a 6 percent rise in total gross revenue, reaching $16.1 billion. The company's U.S. RevPAR was positive starting in April, increasing by 2.5 percent in the second quarter, IHG said in a statement. In May, IHG reported a 0.3 percent year-over-year decline in RevPAR for the Americas in the first quarter, due to a 1.9 percent drop in U.S. RevPAR. "We are making great progress on the delivery of our strategic priorities and the clear framework to drive future value creation that we set out in February," said Elie Maalouf, IHG's CEO. "RevPAR growth accelerated in the latest quarter, reflecting a strong U.S rebound in the second quarter and the breadth of our global footprint, and development activity continues to increase. Together with system growth, notable margin expansion and the benefit of returning surplus capital through buybacks, adjusted EPS growth was up 12 percent."