Peachtree secures EB-5 funding for Utah SpringHill Suites
This is the company's third hotel to receive I-956F approval
Peachtree Group received I-956F approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for the under-construction SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Bryce Canyon, Utah, advancing its efforts to facilitate EB-5 investment.
Vishnu Rageev R is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience in business journalism. Before joining Asian Media Group in 2022, he worked with BW Businessworld, IMAGES Group, exchange4media Group, DC Books, and Dhanam Publications in India. His coverage includes industry analysis, market trends and corporate developments, focusing on retail, real estate and hospitality. As a senior journalist with Asian Hospitality, he covers the U.S. hospitality industry. He is from Kerala, a state in South India.
Peachtree Wins EB-5 Approval for Bryce Canyon Hotel in 2025
PEACHTREE GROUP RECEIVED I-956F approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency that oversees the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, for the under-construction SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Bryce Canyon, Utah. The I-956F approval marks a key step in Peachtree’s efforts to facilitate EB-5 investment, aimed at promoting U.S. economic growth and job creation.
This is the company’s third hotel development to receive I-956F approval, following approvals for the Home2 Suites by Hilton in Boone, North Carolina, and the TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Palmdale, California, Peachtree said in a statement.
“Securing USCIS approval for this project marks an important milestone,” said Adam Greene, Peachtree’s executive vice president, EB-5. “It underscores our ongoing focus on structuring and originating capital for high-quality developments that drive economic impact and long-term value for investors and communities.”
Atlanta-based Peachtree is led by CEO and Managing Principal Greg Friedman, Managing Principal and CFO Jatin Desai, and Principal Mitul Patel.
Peachtree originated $16.95 million in floating-rate construction financing over a three-year term for the 127-room SpringHill Suites near Bryce Canyon National Park, which draws more than 2 million visitors annually for its unique geological formations, the statement said. The hotel is slated for completion by mid-2025.
“With strong travel demand, limited new supply, and favorable market tailwinds, well-located new developments are positioned to outperform their competitive set,” said Greene. “Construction is underway, reducing project risk, and the firm has retained an equity stake aligned with our EB-5 investors—reinforcing our commitment and tying our success to theirs.”
Peachtree launched its EB-5 program in 2023 as a key financing tool for job-creating projects nationwide. The firm remains committed to offering high-quality investment and development opportunities through its growing EB-5 portfolio.
The EB-5 visa program allows foreign investors to apply for a green card by investing in a new U.S. commercial enterprise that creates jobs. A minimum investment of $800,000 in a project that generates or preserves at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs qualifies investors for permanent residency.
More than 70 percent expect a RevPAR increase in Q4, according to HAMA survey.
Demand is the top concern, cited by 77.8 percent, up from 65 percent in spring.
Only 37 percent expect a U.S. recession in 2025, down from 49 percent earlier in the year.
MORE THAN 70 PERCENT of respondents to a Hospitality Asset Managers Association survey expect a 1 to 3 percent RevPAR increase in the fourth quarter. Demand is the top concern, cited by 77.8 percent of respondents, up from 65 percent in the spring survey.
HAMA’s “Fall 2025 Industry Outlook Survey” found that two-thirds of respondents are pursuing acquisitions, 80 percent plan renovations in the coming year and 57 percent are making or planning changes to brand affiliation or management strategies.
“With hopes high for a stronger fourth quarter, hotel asset managers continue to maintain an optimistic outlook,” said Chad Sorensen, HAMA president. “More than 70 percent of our members expect RevPAR to increase 1 to 3 percent and two-thirds are pursuing acquisitions. With 80 percent planning renovations in the coming year, we see an engaged community focused on performance.”
Conducted among 81 HAMA members, about one-third of the association, the survey reports expectations for revenue growth, property investments and acquisitions.
However, the top three most concerning issues were demand, ADR growth and tariffs, HAMA said.
RevPAR growth forecast
Looking into 2026, 72.8 percent expect 1 to 3 percent growth, 18.5 percent expect 4 to 6 percent, 7.4 percent anticipate flat results and 1.2 percent project a decline. Full-year RevPAR projections versus budget are more mixed: 49 percent expect 1 to 3 percent growth, 17 percent expect flat results, 12 percent expect 4 to 6 percent growth, 2 percent expect 7 percent or more and 19 percent expect declines.
Hotel asset managers note several market pressures, the report said. Other concerns include ADR growth at 51.9 percent, tariffs at 34.6 percent, wage increases at 33.3 percent and potential Federal Reserve rate changes at 32.1 percent. Management company performance at 25.9 percent, immigration and labor trends, union activity and insurance costs were also mentioned.
“The industry is at its highest level of concern around maintaining or increasing rates,” Sorensen said. “There’s pressure to build on the P&L going into 2026.”
Performance projections
Confidence in the broader economy has increased since spring, the survey found. Only 37 percent of respondents expect a U.S. recession in 2025, down from 49 percent earlier in the year.
When asked about properties exceeding gross operating profit forecasts, 59 percent of managers expect 0 to 25 percent of their hotels to surpass targets, 25 percent expect 26 to 50 percent, 10 percent expect 51 to 75 percent and 6 percent expect 76 to 100 percent. Additionally, 20 percent reported returning hotels to lenders or entering forced sales since the spring survey.
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AHLA Foundation is partnering with ICHRIE and ACPHA to support hospitality education.
The collaborations align academic programs with industry workforce needs.
It will provide data, faculty development, and student engagement opportunities.
THE AHLA FOUNDATION, International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education and the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration work to expand education opportunities for students pursuing hospitality careers. The alliances aim to provide data, faculty development and student engagement opportunities.
Their efforts build on the foundation’s scholarships and link academics to workforce needs, AHLA said in a statement.
"We're not just funding education—we're investing in the alignment between academic learning and professional readiness," said Kevin Carey, AHLA Foundation president and CEO. "These partnerships give us the insights needed to support students and programs that effectively prepare graduates to enter the evolving hospitality industry."
ACPHA will provide annual reports on participating schools’ performance, enabling the Foundation to direct resources to programs with curricula aligned to industry needs, the Foundation said.
Thomas Kube, incoming ACPHA executive director, said the partnership shows academia and industry working together for hospitality students. The collaboration with ICHRIE includes program analysis, engagement through more than 40 Eta Sigma Delta Honor Society chapters and faculty development.
“Together, we are strengthening pathways to academic excellence, professional development and industry engagement,” said Donna Albano, chair of the ICHRIE Eta Sigma Delta Board of Governors.
U.S. holiday travel is down to 44 percent, led by Millennials and Gen Z.
Younger consumers are cost-conscious while older generations show steadier travel intent.
76 percent of Millennials are likely to use AI for travel recommendations.
NEARLY 44 PERCENT of U.S. consumers plan to travel during the 2025 holiday season, down from 46 percent last year, according to PwC. Millennials and Gen Z lead travel intent at 55 percent each, while Gen X sits at 39 percent and Baby Boomers at 26 percent.
PwC’s “Holiday Outlook 2025” survey found that among those not traveling, about half prefer to celebrate at home and cost concerns affect 43 percent, rising to 50 percent for Gen Z non-travelers. Visiting friends and relatives remains the main reason for holiday travel, cited by roughly 48 percent of those planning trips.
Younger consumers are more cost-conscious, while older generations show steadier travel intent. This split influences travel operators’ planning: younger travelers may require clear value, bundled perks and flexible options, whereas older travelers respond to reliability and convenience. Despite overall spending pressure, travel remains a key priority, reflecting its social and emotional importance during the holidays.
PwC surveyed 4,000 U.S. consumers from June 26 to July 9, with 1,000 each from Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X and Boomers, balanced by gender and region.
Generational spending patterns
Gen Z plans a 23 percent reduction in spending after last year’s 37 percent surge, while Boomers expect a 5 percent increase. Millennials are largely flat, down 1 percent and Gen X edges up 2 percent. Overall holiday spending is down 5 percent, with gift spending falling 11 percent, while travel and entertainment budgets remain stable, increasing 1 percent.
Households with children under 18 plan to spend more than twice as much as households without, averaging $2,349 compared to $1,089, highlighting the focus on family-centered experiences.
For travel and hospitality operators, these patterns suggest stronger conversion potential among older cohorts with steadier budgets and the need for clear value and cost transparency for younger travelers. Consumers are prioritizing experiences and togetherness over material gifts. Flexible fares, transparent pricing and bundled benefits such as Wi-Fi, breakfast, or late checkout can reinforce value and encourage bookings, especially among younger demographics. Gen Z’s pullback makes price-to-experience ratios decisive.
AI, timing and travel strategy
About 76 percent of Millennials say they are likely to use AI agents for recommendations, signaling a shift to “assistant-first” travel discovery. Operators must provide structured, AI-readable content, including route maps, fees, loyalty policies and inventory availability. Brands that do not may be invisible in AI-driven search and recommendation systems.
This year’s late Thanksgiving on Nov. 27 compresses the holiday booking window. Short-haul visiting-friends-and-relatives trips may see bunched reservations, increasing demand for early inventory visibility, simple cancellation policies and accurate last-minute availability. Operators should hold a portion of inventory for late bookings, streamline mobile checkouts and maintain flexible policies to capture last-minute travelers.
Strategies should be generationally targeted. Boomers and Gen X respond to comfort, reliability and multi-generational options, while Millennials and Gen Z require clear value and AI-optimized offers. Focusing on VFR travel through “home for the holidays” packages, flexible dates, partner transport and easy add-on nights can capture demand in key residential hubs.
Despite overall spending declines, travel remains a priority. Operators that deliver transparent value, AI-ready content and offers tailored to each generation can maintain bookings, convert last-minute demand and meet consumers’ evolving holiday expectations.
A TravelBoom Hotel Marketing report found that Americans continue to prioritize travel despite inflation and economic uncertainty, but with greater financial caution. About 74.5 percent plan a summer vacation and 17.5 percent are considering one, showing strong demand linked to careful budgeting.
Indian visitors to the U.S. fell 8 percent to 210,000 in June 2025, according to NTTO.
President Trump’s 50 percent tariff on Indian goods took effect on August 27.
The U.S. has seen a decline in international visitors in recent months.
INDIAN VISITORS TO the U.S. fell in June 2025 for the first time this millennium, excluding the Covid period, according to the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Travel and Tourism Office. About 210,00 Indians visited the U.S. in June, down 8 percent from 230,000 in the same month last year.
The provisional figure for July shows a 5.5 percent drop from the same month last year, Economic Times reported, citing NTTO data. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s 50 percent tariff on Indian goods took effect on August 27, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to follow the “Vocal for Local” policy in his Aug. 15 Independence Day address. Beyond exports like textiles, the measure is likely to affect travel, tourism and hospitality in both countries.
The U.S. has seen a decline in international visitors in recent months, the Times said.
NTTO reported that total non-U.S. resident arrivals fell 6.2 percent in June 2025 from June 2024; 7 percent in May; 8 percent in March and 1.9 percent in February. January rose 4.7 percent and April 1.3 percent over the same months last year.
India is the fourth-largest source of international visitors to the U.S. Excluding Mexico and Canada, which share a land border, India is the second-largest overseas source after the UK.
“Combined, these top five markets, with Brazil fifth, accounted for 59.4 percent of total international arrivals in June,” NTTO said.
Travel industry leaders say it is too early to blame the drop in Indian visitors on stricter visa rules under Trump’s second term, which coincided with strained India-U.S. ties; the impact could rise if the policy continues. The U.S. mostly issues 10-year multiple-entry visitor and B1 and B2 visas, allowing holders to continue traveling, but new delays or stricter issuance norms could affect arrivals after a time lag.
“We are seeing a visible impact on the student segment this year due to delays in visa issuance, even after people have secured college admission,” a travel agent was quoted as saying in the report. “Historically, the biggest categories of visitors from India to the U.S. have been those visiting friends and relatives, business and students. The U.S. has never been a top leisure destination for Indians; that space is led by Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe, with North America following. Right now, apart from students, we are not seeing a significant impact on other segments, but if new visa issuances are affected, they will also be hit after a time lag.”
With an Indian diaspora of more than 5 million, the U.S. sees strong travel demand from India. NTTO data shows that every June since 2000 had recorded a year-on-year increase until 2025 broke the trend.
April saw high outbound travel from India. According to the tourism ministry, 2.9 million Indians traveled abroad, with the most going to the UAE, followed by Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Singapore and the U.S.
“But after May and June, travel was hit by the Pehelgam terror attack, closure of Pakistan airspace (which continues for Indian carriers and vice versa) and the Air India Ahmedabad crash,” a travel industry leader told the Times. “Every destination, especially in the west, was affected. The drop to the U.S. may not be in isolation, given how quickly western destinations were impacted.”
Global hotel RevPAR is projected to grow 3 to 5 percent in 2025, JLL reports.
Hotel RevPAR rose 4 percent in 2024, with demand at 4.8 billion room nights.
London, New York and Tokyo are expected to lead investor interest in 2025.
GLOBAL HOTEL REVPAR is projected to grow 3 to 5 percent in 2025, with investment volume up 15 to 25 percent, driven by loan maturities, deferred capital spending and private equity fund expirations, according to JLL. Leisure travel is expected to decline as consumer savings tighten, while group, corporate and international travel increase, supporting RevPAR growth.
Major cities continue to attract strong demand and investor interest, particularly London, New York and Tokyo. APAC is likely to post the strongest growth, fueled by recovering Chinese travel, while urban markets remain poised for continued momentum.
Lifestyle hotels are emerging as the new “third place,” blending living, working and leisure. The trend is fueling expansion into branded residences and alternative accommodations. JLL said investors must weigh regional performance differences, asset types and lifestyle trends when evaluating opportunities.
Separately, a Hapi and Revinate survey found fragmented systems, inaccurate data and limited integration remain barriers for hotels seeking better data access to improve guest experience and revenue.