As the most populated city in the in the Central Valley, Fresno benefits from a diversified economic base, driven by the agriculture, manufacturing and distribution, and retail industries, as well as the healthcare and education sectors. Agriculture contributes over $3.5 billion annually to the local economy alone. With strong market fundamentals, this article highlights some key factors that influence the Fresno lodging market.

River Park

Located in North Fresno, River Park Shopping Center is one of the most visited outdoor malls in the Central Valley. With over 300 days of sunshine, the shopping center offers a lifestyle ambience with a wide array of shopping and dining options. Just across State Highway 41 from the shopping center is the Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center and the proposed Hyatt Place, which is under construction and scheduled to open in July. The neighborhood is also home to Saint Agnes Medical Center, as well as numerous medical offices and clinics. Just two miles to the north of River Park is Children's Valley Hospital, the only full-service specialized children's hospital in the region, with over 3,000 employees. Most of Fresno's branded, upper-midscale and upscale hotels are in the River Park submarket.

Source: HVSSource: HVS
Source: HVS

Clovis

Clovis is an affluent suburb located to the northeast of Fresno, with a good school district, advanced medical facilities, and proximity to the California State University, Fresno. When traveling through Clovis, it is hard not to miss the construction on the $390-million expansion project at the Clovis Community Hospital (CCH). In the same neighborhood of CCH, California Health Sciences University (CHSU) is building its new, 70-acre campus, which is expected to open in 2020. Additionally, Clovis Unified School District plays a vital role in the area's over 60 regional and state tournaments, bringing contestants and parents from all over California. Given the limited hotel supply in Clovis, sporting teams and healthcare professionals create demand compression in this area, with demand overflowing to nearby submarkets.

Other Area Highlights

  • Fresno is well situated for manufacturing and distribution given the favorable highway and railroad access. In 2018, Amazon opened a new fulfillment center warehouse in Fresno's industrial triangle, creating over 2,500 new jobs in the local market. In the same year, Ulta opened its new, $100-million fulfillment center, and GAP expanded its facility and added over 500 jobs.
  • Over 24,000 students are enrolled at California State University, Fresno (Fresno State). Deeply influenced by the area's agriculture industry, the university features onsite vineyards, a commercial winery, and an onsite planetarium. Moreover, as a member of the NCAA Division I Mountain West Conference, the university boasts 22 sports teams.
  • The greater area offers a variety of farm tours, including Hillcrest Farm, Sun Maid Raisins, Fresno County Blossom Trail, and Fresno County Fruit Trail.

Key Performance Indicators

HVS, STR, BLS.gov, Fresno County Economic Development Corporation, Fresno/Clovis Convention and Visitors Bureau, Fresno Yosemite International Airport— Photo by HVSHVS, STR, BLS.gov, Fresno County Economic Development Corporation, Fresno/Clovis Convention and Visitors Bureau, Fresno Yosemite International Airport— Photo by HVS
HVS, STR, BLS.gov, Fresno County Economic Development Corporation, Fresno/Clovis Convention and Visitors Bureau, Fresno Yosemite International Airport— Photo by HVS

The Fresno market has a strong agriculture base, with new commercial, residential, and industrial developments occurring throughout the greater area. Lodging demand remains healthy, with market-wide RevPAR reaching a new peak in 2018. Although some new hotels are anticipated to open in the next 24 months, the market is still somewhat underserved by upscale hotels, notably in the River Park submarket and in Clovis.

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