Skift Take
Leisure travel will continue to dominate hotel booking patterns into the brand-new year, even if Omicron is only a small blip on performance.
Cameron Sperance
Here’s a tasting of what the Daily Lodging Report supplied to its readers this previous week. If you’re not a subscriber, you should be. Don’t wait. Register now here.
Sunday, Dec. 5
Truist said they think the strength in leisure travel is extending beyond the upcoming holiday period and well into 1Q22, leaving them most positive on the leisure centric stocks. The blended news is, following a Delta-related pullback in July, reserving volumes during August-November for future city-wide group/convention occasions in major markets were well above equivalent 2019 levels with pricing up near to 5% versus 2019. However, the cumulative reservation rate of 2022 business meetings/events is tracking -35% versus 2019 with the patterns usually far much better for warmer/southern locations than for colder/northern locations. They see extremely minimal statistical evidence that specific service travel is all set to remove like some bullish declarations by senior hotel executives at the current NYU hotel conference.
Skift Note: Executive chatter about service travel roaring back is market BS.
Morgan Stanley reported on takeaways from their recent 2021 consumer conference. In basic business have not seen an impact from omicron on their US organizations to date and continue to anticipate 4Q RevPAR to improve from 3Q. Some did report a little bit of pressure on MEA and Europe reservations. Companies expect strong net system growth to continue and remain positive they will return to their pre-Covid growth rates. The strength of leisure need has extended into the more corporate-reliant fall but returning to 2019 RevPAR levels might still rest upon the return of company travel and group demand.
Skift Note: Anecdotal evidence initially emerged that Omicron might not be as bad as the Delta variant. Information later on backed up the claim.
Monday, Dec. 6
IHG Hotels & Resorts and MIK Group formally opened the new 308-room Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay resort on Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam. Located along the Bai Dai beach, simply north-west of the island recognized as UNESCO’s World Biosphere Reserve in 2006, the resort is a 40-minute drive from the Phu Quoc International Airport. The hotel consists of the Plaza Workspace, a brand-new take on the traditional hotel lobby area. The 308 guestrooms consist of 11 vacation homes and 21 suites, ranging from 40 square meters to 411, each with an expansive terrace. There are 2 swimming pools, the Hoa Sim Medical spa, 2 distinct dining venues, People Children Club and 416 square meters of devoted conference space. IHG now has 14 hotels in Vietnam running under 4 brands.
Skift Note: Even If IHG is shaking out a couple of bad eggs does not imply Crowne Plaza is out for the count.
Tuesday, Dec. 7
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts announced the launching of its La Quinta by Wyndham brand name in China with the opening of La Quinta by Wyndham Weifang Southscheduled for late December. The hotel is located in Weifang, one of the biggest cities in the Shandong province. The city is called the birthplace of kites, surrounded by stunning natural landscape best for mountain-climbing or sight-seeing. The La Quinta by Wyndham Weifang is a brand-new hotel featuring 200 guestrooms and suites, all geared up with contemporary amenities. There is an executive lounge, total with personal check-in/check-out, dedicated concierge services and a special meeting room, the Fit Lounge which includes a 600 square meter health club and yoga space. There are three restaurants and 3,400 square meters of conference and banquet area.
Skift Note: No matter the healing setback caused by China’s zero-case policy on coronavirus, brand names still very much want to develop there. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it once again: Realty is a long-term play.
Wednesday, Dec. 8
Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport submitted a proposal for the resumption of global flights on nine routes across Asia and the United States from December 15 as part of a two-phased resuming strategy. The preliminary phase would introduce next week with 4 flights weekly to and from either Los Angeles or San Francisco in the United States plus Singapore, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Laos, Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei. The Ministry is expecting around 28,000 visitors to Vietnam in the two weeks through completion of 2021 under the plan. Stage two of the proposition requires additional paths to be added from January 1, 2022, including Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Paris, Frankfurt, Moscow and Sydney. The opening phase would see flights going to and from 2 of Vietnam’s airports in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, expanded to consist of Da Nang City, Web Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc and Van Don under stage two. The issues include that the United States’ CDC just recently noted Vietnam among 56 countries and territories considered high Covid-19 dangers. Both Mainland China and Hong Kong continue to enforce mandatory quarantine steps on all international arrivals.
Skift Note: Finally. Travel bans at this moment are impractical and unjust.
Thursday, Dec. 9
Courtyard by Marriott announced a modern design and robust remodelling method for North America. More than 375 of the brand’s earliest generation hotels throughout the U.S. and Canada are anticipated to be updated with outside restorations by 2024, consisting of more than 60 that have been currently completed. Courtyard is expanding restorations to include outside façade and landscaping updates. The new façade will include an upgraded porte-cochere, reframed and repainted exterior surface areas, ambient lighting, brand-new signs and fresh landscaping. In addition to the remodellings, Courtyard has actually introduced its most recent generational model including a smooth outside and advanced, yet comfortable interior designed that will likewise be embraced by earlier generation hotels. Interior work includes an up-to-date lobby, brand-new fitness center, flexible meeting spaces, and boosted food and drink offerings. Visitor space enhancements consist of digital essential technology and new home furnishings. The most recent Courtyard hotels, both brand-new and remodelled consist of: Yard Jacksonville Butler Boulevard; Courtyard Atlanta Border Center; Yard San Diego Miramar; Yard Raleigh/Cary Crossroads; and Yard Memphis East/Galleria.
Skift Note: The longtime brand name for roadway warriors finally gets a transformation– and it’ll come quickly to a huge piece of Marriott’s North American Yard portfolio.
hotel
Daily Accommodations Report
Essential market news for hospitality and lodging executives in North America and Asia-Pacific. Provided daily to your inbox.
Show Me More