U.S. hotel commentary - November 2024

The U.S. presidential election, a year-over-year Thanksgiving calendar shift, ongoing hurricane recovery efforts, and an extra weekend all factored into the equation as U.S. revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased 2.5% in November. Like in October, occupancy growth was the main driver as the gain in average daily rate (ADR) was under 1%. Even with the stronger occupancy, the measure remained 2 percentage points (ppts) in arrears versus November 2019.

U.S. hotel conversion activity remains muted

U.S. hotel conversion activity, which involves changing an existing hotel from its independent status, or affiliating it with a new brand; continues to trend below the long-term average of the 20-year period ending 2019. We are benchmarking to this period given that it excludes the disruption in hotel development brought about by the pandemic.

Anaheim-Santa Ana and Memphis Enter the Top Spots in Meeting and Events for the First Time in 2024, Reports Cendyn

The Cendyn Sales Intelligence platform, previously known as Knowland, released its monthly data findings to help hoteliers gain insight into the top locations selected by today’s meeting planners. The company announced Anaheim-Santa Ana, Calif. has ranked first in the top 25 markets with year-over-year (YoY) growth at 17.5 percent. Atlanta came in second with growth at 13.7 percent. Louisville, Ky. led in secondary markets at 59.1 percent growth, and Memphis, Tenn. ranked second with 48.9 percent growth. This data is sourced from Cendyn’s Sales Intelligence platform, designed to help hoteliers protect and grow their revenue base.

East West Hospitality Welcomes Woodrun Place in Snowmass to its Growing Portfolio of Luxury Ski Vacation Rentals

East West Hospitality, a leading provider of property management and vacation rental services across Colorado’s premier mountain destinations, has assumed the management of Woodrun Place in Snowmass Village and added the property to its collection of premier mountain vacation rentals. Effective immediately, East West Hospitality will take over operations for the property, from HOA management to rental reservations, guest services, and asset management. The addition of this iconic ski-in/ski-out property further expands East West Hospitality’s presence in the popular winter playground of Aspen Snowmass.

PwC: Post-election clarity and ADR increases likely to sustain hotel performance through 2025 amid modest demand growth

The US lodging sector is expected to experience muted growth in 2025, driven by moderate increase in average daily room rates and stable occupancy levels, resulting in an annual increase in revenue per available room of 1.5%. Despite stagnant supply levels over the past few quarters, new construction projects are expected to be spurred in 2025 by a combination of factors, including increasing optimism about a soft landing, easing monetary policies, and other capital markets tailwinds. However, overall impacts from the macroeconomic environment are expected to continue to suppress demand and occupancy growth in 2025.

Upcoming holiday season impact on U.S. hotel performance

Two significant changes will impact travel in the U.S. this holiday season. First, Thanksgiving is a week later, meaning there are five less days between Thanksgiving and Christmas and likely more travel compression between the two holidays. Second, Christmas and New Year’s Day move from a Monday last year to a Wednesday this year.