Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Hotel stock index rose 5.2 percent September

Declining concerns about the Delta variant and rising group demand credited for increase

Hotel stock index rose 5.2 percent September

HOTEL STOCKS ROSE in September based on higher-than-expected group travel business, according to the Baird/STR Hotel Stock Index. The index rose 5.2 percent during the month compared to August.

Also, the index was up 13 percent year-to-date for the first nine months of 2021. The Baird/STR index for September surpassed the S&P 500, which fell 4.8 percent from the prior month, and the MSCI US REIT Index, which dropped 6 percent.  The hotel brand sub-index rose 6.7 percent from August, while the Hotel REIT sub-index increased 1 percent.


“Hotel stocks rebounded strongly in September and finally broke their streak of six consecutive months of relative underperformance,” said Michael Bellisario, senior hotel research analyst and director at Baird. “Delta variant concerns mostly subsided during the month, and hotel stocks benefited from higher interest rates and the broader market rotation that lifted all travel-related stocks.”

The month saw some unexpected, good news, said Amanda Hite, STR president.

“The post-Labor Day period had been a source of consternation for the industry, but the early returns produced a pleasant surprise with group demand above 1 million for two consecutive weeks,” she said. “We did see a performance dip late in the month, but ups and downs are expected at this point in the recovery cycle. Overall, we estimate September demand at 93 percent of the 2019 comparable, and there were noticeable improvements in the major markets and corporate-dependent hotels. With leisure demand continuing to deliver, but business travel and groups progressing much slower, we do not expect recovery to kick into the next gear until next year.”

More for you

WTTC travel report

WTTC: U.S. tops travel sector with $2.6T GDP

Summary:

  • The U.S. led global travel and tourism in 2024 with $2.6 trillion in GDP, WTTC reported.
  • India retained ninth place with $249.3 billion in GDP.
  • The sector supported 357 million jobs in 2024, rising to 371 million in 2025.

THE U.S. LED global travel and tourism in 2024, contributing $2.6 trillion to GDP, mainly from domestic demand, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. Europe accounted for five of the top 10 destinations, while India ranked 9th.

Keep ReadingShow less
Park Hyatt luxury hotel celebrating 45th anniversary
Photo credit: Hyatt Hotels Corp.

Park Hyatt hits 45 years

Summary:

  • Hyatt Hotels Corp. marked 45 years of its Park Hyatt brand.
  • It recently launched “Luxury Is Personal,” its first global campaign in more than five years.
  • Its luxury hotel portfolio has grown 146 percent since 2017.

HYATT HOTELS CORP. marked the 45th anniversary of its Park Hyatt brand, launched in 1980 with Park Hyatt Chicago. It also introduced “Luxury Is Personal,” its first global marketing campaign for the brand in more than five years.

Keep ReadingShow less
U.S. government shutdown 2025 news
Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Trump, Congress face shutdown deadline

Summary:

  • President Donald Trump will meet Congress as a shutdown looms.
  • Democrats say they are ready to negotiate a bipartisan deal.
  • Thousands of federal jobs and the U.S. travel economy are at risk if a shutdown occurs.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP will meet Congressional leaders on Monday after Senate Democrats rejected a Republican stopgap spending bill to fund the government until Nov. 21. The U.S. Travel Association recently warned a government shutdown could cost the travel economy $1 billion a week.

Keep ReadingShow less
IHG Ruby Hotels USA launch
Photo credit: IHG Hotels & Resorts

IHG’s Ruby debuts in U.S. market

Summary:

  • IHG launched its 20th global brand, Ruby, in the U.S.
  • The brand offers serves city-centers and urban locations with restrictions.
  • It focuses on major urban markets with new-build, conversion, and adaptive reuse.

IHG HOTELS & RESORTS introduced Ruby Hotels, its 20th global brand, to the U.S. It is designed to fit in city centers and urban locations with entry barriers and space constraints.

Keep ReadingShow less
Trump H1B visa fee India
Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Trump’s $100K H-1B fee sparks panic in India

Summary:

  • Announcement of $100,000 H-1B visa fee triggers panic among Indian professionals.
  • The fee applies only to new petitions.
  • IT companies are reportedly reviewing staffing and travel.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S announcement of a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa petitions, effective Sept. 21, reportedly triggered panic among Indian H-1B holders. Many rushed to book last-minute flights, resulting in fully booked planes and higher fares.

Keep ReadingShow less