Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

JLL: Americas witness stable RevPAR amid travel spending decline

Middle Eastern and Asian investors target select U.S. cities for capital deployment

JLL: Americas witness stable RevPAR amid travel spending decline

HOTELS IN THE Americas performed above 2019 levels, although RevPAR is stabilizing amidst decreasing consumer travel spending, according to real estate firm JLL. This has affected resort markets heavily dependent on leisure travel. In contrast, urban travel demand is on the rise, driven by group, corporate, and inbound international travel.

According to JLL’s Global Real Estate Perspective for February 2024, global hotel RevPAR surpassed 2019 levels by 11.7 percent in the first 11 months of 2023. The global urban market strengthened with increased international travel and the return of business and group demand. London, New York, and Tokyo are expected to lead global RevPAR performance in 2024 as urban travel rebounds.


Stabilization has weighed heaviest in resort markets, particularly in the Americas and EMEA, while Asia-Pacific continues to accelerate as intraregional travel grows following border reopenings, the report added. Foreign capital, absent since the onset of COVID, is expected to become more active over the next 12 months. Middle Eastern and Asian investors are likely to lead, with urban markets in Europe and select U.S. cities as primary recipients of capital.

EMEA leads RevPAR growth

EMEA leads all regions in RevPAR growth relative to 2019, propelled by strong international and intraregional travel, JLL said. While demand is starting to normalize in certain resort-heavy markets, urban performance has surged, particularly in many cities across Western Europe and the Middle East, resulting in historically high RevPAR.

Intraregional tourism within Asia-Pacific surged in 2023, driving RevPAR to a 94 percent recovery relative to 2019. The lifting of China’s group travel ban is further boosting this trend, notably benefiting Australia and Japan.

Positive outlook for 2024

ENEWS 03 06 24 JLL Hotels

Following the removal of all post-pandemic restrictions, international travel surged in 2023, reaching 87 percent of 2019 levels, the report said. The impact on urban hotel demand is notable, given the historically strong correlation of 90 percent between inbound foreign arrivals and urban hotel occupancy, particularly evident in gateway markets such as London, New York, and Tokyo.

Meanwhile, JLL expects international travel to accelerate further, with Europe likely to benefit most, especially with the Summer Olympics in Paris and Taylor Swift's Eras Tour heading to the U.K. and Western Europe. This increase in travel should also boost global hotel liquidity.

Investor confidence returns

With 1,350 global hotel brands to choose from, investors must be increasingly discerning in the brand they acquire, the report said. Investors are now buying into an entire ecosystem as traditional hotel brands expand into adjacent verticals with the goal of capturing the entire travel journey and solidifying loyalty.

Branded residences, private membership clubs, and even yachts are becoming more integrated into traditional hotel brands’ portfolios, offering new investment opportunities, JLL said. With global hotel development slowing due to rising construction costs, acquisitions of brand platforms are expected to enhance shareholder value and become a significant focus for investors in the long term.

According to the report, luxury and lifestyle brands are anticipated to draw significant investor interest, exemplified by PIF's recent $1.2 billion investment in Rocco Forte hotels.

The fourth quarter 2023 Global Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report by Lodging Econometrics underscored the U.S. and China's dominance, making up 64 percent of global projects, with the U.S. leading at 39 percent. Among the top five cities with the largest construction pipelines, three are in the U.S.: Dallas, Atlanta, and Nashville.

More for you

Chart showing decline in U.S. extended-stay hotel occupancy and RevPAR in May 2025

Report: May fifth month for drop in extended-stay occupancy

Summary:

  • Extended-stay occupancy fell 2.2 percent in May, the fifth straight monthly decline; ADR and RevPAR also dropped for a second consecutive month.
  • May marked 44 straight months of supply growth for the segment at 4 percent or less, with annual growth below the 4.9 percent long-term average.
  • Extended-stay room revenues rose 0.5 percent, while total industry revenue grew 0.9 percent, led by segments with little extended-stay supply.

EXTENDED-STAY HOTEL occupancy fell 2.2 percent in May, the fifth consecutive monthly decline, exceeding the 0.7 percent drop reported for all hotels by STR/CoStar, according to The Highland Group. Extended-stay occupancy was 10.5 percentage points above the total hotel industry, at the lower end of the long-term average premium range.

Keep ReadingShow less
Auro Hotels Showcases India Culture at TCMU Exhibit

Auro unveils 'India Cultural Corner' for children

Summary:

  • Auro Hotels opened the India Cultural Corner, where children can check in and explore Indian culture at The Children's Museum of the Upstate.
  • Families can engage with community art, activities and storytelling about daily life in India.
  • The exhibit runs through May 2026, offering interactive learning on Indian culture.

AURO HOTELS RECENTLY opened the India Cultural Corner at The Children's Museum of the Upstate in Greenville, South Carolina, offering a look into Indian stories for American families. The exhibition, held at The Grand Geo Hotel and running through May 2026, includes a hotel desk where children can check in and explore Indian culture through interactive activities.

Keep ReadingShow less
U.S. Firms Lose $2.4 Trillion by Skimping on Business Travel

Report: Business travel gaps cost U.S. firms $2.4T

Summary:

  • U.S. companies risk losing more than $2.4 trillion in sales due to underinvestment in business travel, says GBTA.
  • An 8.3 percent T&E increase could drive a 6 percent sales gain, despite post-COVID virtual meeting tools.
  • Current T&E spending is $294 billion—$24 billion short of the $319.1 billion needed for peak profitability.

U.S. COMPANIES ARE missing more than $2.4 trillion in potential sales due to underinvestment in business travel, according to a Global Business Travel Association report. Despite a post-pandemic rebound, travel and entertainment spending remains $66 billion below 2019 levels.

Keep ReadingShow less
AI threats in hospitality

Study: Cyberattacks on hotels to surge

Summary:

  • Around 66 percent of hotel IT and security executives expect more cyberattacks this summer, and 50 percent anticipate greater severity, according to VikingCloud.
  • Guest-facing systems most at risk include POS and payment technology at 72 percent, guest WiFi at 56 percent and front desk systems at 34 percent.
  • About 48 percent of executives lack confidence in their staff’s ability to detect and respond to AI-driven attacks and deepfakes.

APPROXIMATELY 66 PERCENT of hotel IT and security executives expect an increase in cyberattack frequency and 50 percent anticipate greater severity during the summer travel season, according to cybersecurity firm VikingCloud. In summer 2024, 82 percent of North American hotels experienced a cyberattack and 58 percent were targeted five or more times.

Keep ReadingShow less
Newly renovated Marriott Saddle Brook hotel in New Jersey, now managed by Stonebridge Cos.

Stonebridge to manage Marriott in Saddle Brook, NJ

Summary:

  • Stonebridge Cos. has added the Marriott Saddle Brook in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, to its full-service portfolio.
  • The renovated property is owned by Victory Worldwide LLC, led by CEO Anil Monga.
  • Located 20 miles from New York City, it is near the Meadowlands Sports Complex, Garden State Plaza and Hackensack University Medical Center.

STONEBRIDGE COS. RECENTLY added the 244-room Marriott Saddle Brook in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, to its full-service managed portfolio. The property is owned by Victory Worldwide LLC, led by CEO Anil Monga.

Keep ReadingShow less