Hotel Analyst Podcast
246 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingWeekly views on the key news stories from the Hotel Analyst team, covering the global hotel investment market. To read more detail, subscribe at www.hotelanalyst.co.uk
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
HotelAnalystPodcast19Apr2024
April 19, 2024 20:06 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MBThoughts from this year’s IHIF in Berlin, where the transaction market looks on, becalmed, as the brands and operators enjoy better times. Wyndham and Hilton buy new brands, broadening their offer - but who do the brands really serve? And while SPACs have not been a source of great riches for many hospitality businesses, market listings remain in favour, as far as Hotel101 and Motel One are concerned.
HotelAnalystPodcast13Apr2024
April 13, 2024 15:06 - 27 minutes - 25 MBAs B&B Hotels and CitizenM potentially come to market, who will be in the mood to spend billions buying these brands, and grow them to the next level? Travelodge now looks to be changing its business model, with owners of the operating business backing a linked property company and buying a portfolio of Travelodge hotels. And Africa is seeing the hotel brands renew their march after the pandemic - as they discover some familiar challenges.
HotelAnalystPodcast5Apr2024
April 05, 2024 05:53 - 25 minutes - 23.6 MBAs delegates at MIPIM get over the most recent shocks to hit property markets, there comes a growing realisation that active asset management is increasingly essential, to add value in operational real estate. Student accommodation providers are looking to adjacent spaces to learn operational lessons, and seek growth opportunities. And China's big property conglomerates are under pressure financially - what will the impact be on Western hotel partners?
HotelAnalystPodcast24Mar2024
March 24, 2024 13:18 - 25 minutes - 23.7 MBDeals off, deals on - as Choice abandons its plan to take over Wyndham, Barry Sternlicht reveals plans to launch a SPAC which will own a mix of US and European hotels, previously held by Starwood Capital. Saudi Arabia has hit a key milestone in expanding its tourism sector - and is making impressive progress. And in Europe, airlines and package groups are offering greater flexibility to keep up with continuing strong leisure demand.
HotelAnalystPodcast12Mar2024
March 12, 2024 09:26 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBThe extended stay niche was fastest to recover after the pandemic - and now they’re first to see performance level off, and face the economic headwinds out there. Worries continue over refinancing and the wall of debt the hotel sector faces - will it lead to distress and deals? And Greece has undergone an economic transformation, now its tourism market and hotels too are undergoing major change too, as international investors and brands arrive.
HotelAnalystPodcast4Mar2024
March 04, 2024 07:22 - 25 minutes - 23.6 MBMore new hotel brands are coming - are they any good for consumers, and will there be a fallout? Tourist taxes are being ramped up, as destinations use them to generate an income, in the name of moderating peak demand from visitors. And as Spain looks forward to a strong 2024, Asian markets are now enjoying strong tailwinds.
HotelAnalystPodcast26Feb2024
February 26, 2024 14:15 - 25 minutes - 23.6 MBAccor, IHG and Hyatt are all looking to make more strategic moves, as they eye the last benefits of post-pandemic tailwinds. Choice hotels saw market conditions weaken in the US the fourth quarter - putting its share price under pressure, as it relies on that share price to buttress its hostile bid for Wyndham. And hospitality groups have taken a new direction in seeking public listings. Gone are US SPACs, with companies in Germany, Singapore and India tapping regional investor interest.
HotelAnalystPodcast21Feb2024
February 21, 2024 19:01 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MBMarriott still sees tailwinds from growing group and business bookings; Wyndham worries about the impact on its business of the Choice bid, to date reckoned at a USD75m negative impact. Meanwhile in Europe, owner Pandox and operator Scandic are looking forward to a positive year of more growth across the continent. And as pub groups shift into boutique hotels, how should hotel brands react to this quiet, but growing competitive threat?
HotelAnalystPodcast18Feb2024
February 18, 2024 07:59 - 26 minutes - 24.2 MBSoho House comes under attack from a short seller - but is the business fundamentally as worthless as they claim? Hilton signals a strategy switch, arguing now is the moment to consider acquisitions in a stressed market. And the alternatives in hostels bounce back, just as new format Outsite looks to grab unloved hotels.
HotelAnalystPodcast8Feb2024
February 08, 2024 18:46 - 23 minutes - 21.8 MBIndia’s local hotel groups are enjoying a strong economy, with growing demand, in a marketplace where there’s little prospect of much more supply in the near term. Consumer travel behaviour is changing, and more are booking directly, and more in advance. But the latest resarch also has a warning for the OTAs of new competition from the East. And third party hotel managers are looking forward to growing deal flow, bringing with it the expectation of more new properties to look after.
HotelAnalystPodcast29Jan2024
January 29, 2024 09:54 - 30 minutes - 28.4 MBThe world is resetting around new demand drivers, new destinations and new flying routes after the pandemic - and there are winners as well as some losers. Consumers are tilting back towards hotels and away from short term rentals, just as the regulatory noose around them appears to be tightening. And hanging out with Best Western - a cheaper, more flexible branding alternative to the big brand groups.
HotelAnalystPodcast23Jan2024
January 23, 2024 08:50 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MBIt’s a positive start to the new year, as consultants expect deal volume to improve - unlocking the restricted investment market. Major travel groups, including TUI, are looking to gain greater control over the hotels they sell as part of their packages. And thinking green, we’re seeing sustainability now becoming a greater part of the funding landscape, giving borrowers discounts if they hit agreed environmental targets.
HotelAnalystPodcast18Jan2024
January 18, 2024 07:16 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MBA big GBP800m purchase in London by Starwood Capital has brightened the investment community - could it be the moment private equity is back in the market? Plus, a portfolio of 66 Travelodge hotels trades, with the buyer being the US owner of the Travelodge operating business. And we delve into what French group Louvre is doing - a slumbering giant in the ownership of major Chinese group Jin Jiang.
HAHoftelpodcastJan2024
January 16, 2024 07:35 - 23 minutes - 21.2 MBAhead of his upcoming Hoftel conferences, CEO Simon Allison provides his thoughts on deal flow into 2024, as banks start pulling the trigger. Other big issues, debated at his events, include the shifting focus of Spanish brands and owners, aligning with bigger brands and new distribution channels; and the ambitions of Middle Eastern players are a growing influence, liable to impact other regional leisure players as new destinations gain momentum.
HotelAnalystPodcast22Dec2023
December 22, 2023 07:48 - 29 minutes - 26.7 MBHospitality looks forward to 2024 with reducing inflation, interest rates looking as though they may have peaked - will it be a happy new year? Is Indian disruptor Oyo finding its mojo once more? And Philippine brand Hotel 101 is planning global expansion, backed by fractional ownership. And greater regulation is heading for the short term rental niche - but is it overall a good thing?
HotelAnalystPodcast8Dec2023
December 08, 2023 09:01 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MBBudget hotel operators are trading strongly, but where is the value-add opportunity for investors in their property assets? Consolidation plays see those in the living space broaden their appeal to both customers, and to potential investors. And, despite tough economic conditions, the mood from recent hotel conferences was a fundamentally optimistic one.
HotelAnalystPodcast28Nov2023
November 28, 2023 09:57 - 25 minutes - 22.9 MBSubscription models are a challenge for hotels, but get them right and they can be a valuable income stream that also drives loyalty too. Deloitte finds confidence in the sector improving, and its conference also looked at the likely impact of upcoming technological change. And as the sector continues to face staffing challenges, we discuss an initiative Whitbread is pushing forward.
HotelAnalystPodcast20Nov2023
November 20, 2023 18:38 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBDeal volume is starting to build, but it feels more like glacial melt, rather than all-out spring thaw. A major refinancing in the hostel space shines a positive light on that niche in the accommodation space, but it still remains at arms length to the mainstream. And Choice delivers its third quarter results - but the CEO uses the event to shout about why his offer to take over Wyndham is such a great idea.
HotelAnalystPodcast14Nov2023
November 14, 2023 08:02 - 25 minutes - 23.1 MBMarriott sees returning business and group demand as an enduring tailwind, as it expands into midscale. The US Reits, Host and Park, as well as Hyatt are also enjoying a return of big corporate events. Third quarter results from the OTAs show they’re all pushing hard into more alternative accommodation, with Booking and Expedia turning up the heat under Airbnb. And then there’s the hype of AI….
HotelAnalystPodcast2Nov2023
November 02, 2023 07:43 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MBGrowing fast - Hilton and Wyndham were keen to shout about their growth figures in recent results. Wyndham spent time contrasting its numbers with those of suitor Choice…Business on the books in Europe is strong, say Pandox, Scandic and STR. And China is back, as noted by IHG and Accor in Q3 numbers - with more to come, as airlift is still rebuilding capacity.
HotelAnalystPodcast25Oct2023
October 25, 2023 21:36 - 30 minutes - 27.6 MBOur thoughts on the big consolidation deal - will Choice swallow Wyndham? AccorInvest looks to slim down, and trim debt, as it seeks to slip away from Accor. And Whitbread looks to find the love for Premier Inn in Germany.
HotelAnalystPodcast17Oct2023
October 17, 2023 19:06 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MBWhile recent studies paint a rosy picture for the hotel sector, we wonder what the latest issues in and around Israel will deliver to those operating in the region. In the UK and Europe, deals look to be happening again, as issues around inflation and debt are put into perspective. And third party operators spread their wings, as owners learn they can earn more from their assets.
HotelAnalystPodcast13Oct2023
October 13, 2023 07:21 - 25 minutes - 23.7 MBThoughts from Marriott on how it intends to grow over the next three years, as it launches an underwhelmingly named new brand. More from the Operational Real Estate festival, on how traditional real estate asset classes are losing their appeal. Why all-inclusive continues to be an attractive market sector. And thoughts on the impact of the latest conflict in Israel.
HotelAnalystPodcast4Oct2023
October 04, 2023 07:13 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBReflections from the Operational Real Estate Festival. Accommodation alternatives Selina, Soho House and Sonder wrestle with the challenges of growth, and delivering profits - investors like the first, but will ultimately demand the second. And luxury hotels look to be ever in demand, not just from well-heeled guests, but with investors too.
HotelAnalystPodcast25Sept2023
September 25, 2023 06:35 - 26 minutes - 24.5 MBThe deals market has been becalmed by higher interest rates, will it now ease? The challenge of demonstrating the economic positives of travel. PPHE and Dalata look confidently ahead; PPHE has a strong brand deal, would Dalata benefit from something similar? And we chew over the frustrations of drip pricing.
HotelAnalystPodcast20Sept2023
September 20, 2023 07:14 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MBAcross the piece, all sorts of buildings with beds - from private rental to student accommodation, as well as hospitality - are impacted by either too much, or too little, regualation. In China, indebted developers are casting a shadow over hotel development for the international brands. And hotels return to normalcy, albeit with some tailwinds still to come from the business travel market.
HotelAnalystPodcast30Aug2023
August 30, 2023 19:32 - 26 minutes - 24.2 MBConversions are the key for hotel brand groups, as new development volume reduces - and IHG is on the front foot with new conversion brand Garner. Marriott has put its money on MGM and its major US resorts in Las Vegas and elsewhere - will Convoy members be able to gamble their points in future? And as online travel agents register record performance figures, the clouds gather over Airbnb.
HotelAnalystPodcast23Aug2023
August 23, 2023 06:04 - 25 minutes - 23.7 MBAhead of the Annual Hotel Conference in Manchester, we welcome Joe Stather of Questex to discuss findings of Questex's latest quarterly investor sentiment survey; moderating demand, a withering tailwind as business demand starts to level off, and investors still staring at the bid-ask spread and wondering at what price they can get back into the market. The Annual Hotel Conference takes place in Manchester 11-12 September.
HotelAnalystPodcast5Aug2023
August 05, 2023 08:07 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MBBig guns Accor and Hilton delivered strong Q2 figures, but the market prefers Hilton shares to those from Accor right now. India looks a stronger medium term opportunity than China, and its ITC brand is now emerging from its conglomerate parent. And in China, H World’s results reveal a strong snap back in occupancy, as Wyndham, too, likes the look of further growth in the country.
HotelAnalystPodcast31July2023
July 31, 2023 11:22 - 25 minutes - 23.2 MBDeal volumes more than halved in the first half of 2023, as investors got their heads around rising debt costs - and owners resisted selling as they carried on trading positively. But things may pick up in the second half. Data from Booking.com and Amadeus point to a continuing strong 2023 for trading, well ahead of previous expectations. And we walk through the first half year results, from Scandinavian groups Pandox and Scandic.
HotelAnalystPodcast10July2023
July 10, 2023 08:32 - 26 minutes - 23.9 MBAccor continues to reinvent itself as a lifestyle and luxury player. But why is it not shouting louder about its successful and dominant economy brands? Debt is getting more expensive, with refinancing tougher to negotiate - what will be the impact on the hotel sector? And experiences, hospitality and leisure increase their presence in former retail spaces, helping to reinvent town and city centres.
HotelAnalystPodcast5July2023
July 05, 2023 16:16 - 25 minutes - 23.2 MBIs the glass half empty, or half full? A quick debate over the latest views of the UK hotel market, as investors adjust to the new normal - and wonder about upping their activity once more. Alternatives are thriving, notably hostels - so why are these businesses still largely the preserve of private equity? And as the Chinese get out and about once more, how will this massive tourism market spread around the world, after the pandemic?
HotelAnalystPodcast28June2023
June 28, 2023 07:31 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MBTougher lending conditions are forcing mid market hotel groups to dispose of individual properties, to buttress balance sheets ahead of refinancing discussions. With Travelodge and Village Hotels now quietly being offered for sale, who has deep pockets and a strong constitution? And new arrivals in the OTA space promise hard-up consumers a better deal, often on a subscription-only basis.
HotelAnalystPodcast21June2023
June 21, 2023 15:25 - 31 minutes - 28.4 MBAs we’re told investors are lining up to put funds into co-living developments, how big could this niche be? Or is it simply a stop-gap solution to a broader housing market failure? Airlines have struggled to get back in the air, but now they’re making money - and, like hotels, wondering how to deliver real value to the consumer. And as more companies commit to going green, the space remains a complex one with few absolute metrics, fast changing technology - and a fair dose of greenwash, too.
HotelAnalystPodcast15June2023
June 15, 2023 10:00 - 21 minutes - 19.4 MBRumours swirl around a possible merger of Choice and Wyndham. Hotels wrestle with how to do wellness properly, and profitably. And consumers want more personalisation - how can hotels tackle the challenge successfully?
HotelAnalystPodcast3June2023
June 03, 2023 07:03 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MBPicking apart views from the Berlin conference - optimistic overall, but aware of debt challenges ahead. Federico Gonzalez takes a second job, heading Louvre as well as Radisson - what’s he likely to do with Jin Jiang’s big Western investments? And economy secctor operators Travelodge and Motel One shine a light on the resilience of the low cost operators.
HotelAnalystPodcast24May2023
May 24, 2023 19:18 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBEveryone in investment is adapting to the new normal of inflation, and debt that’s more expensive, and harder to find. India, as it becomes the world’s most populous country, looks an increasingly interesting market for both domestic hotel groups and international brands. And market newcomers Soho House, Sonder and Selina display contrasting roadmaps to profitability.
HotelAnalystPodcast11May2023
May 11, 2023 13:30 - 32 minutes - 29.6 MBThe Ascott shows everyone how serviced apartments are done - as the big US groups line up to launch new apartment brands. Hyatt's acquisition pace shows no signs of slowing up, as it buys an umbrella brand. And as Keith Barr departs IHG, will it finally move its presence, and its listing, to the US?
HotelAnalystPodcast4May2023
May 04, 2023 07:19 - 29 minutes - 26.7 MBIt's been a strong results season for the listed hotel groups, so what are they going to do to move the needle from here on? We muse on Whitbread and its expansion into Germany; Marriott and Hilton, both deciding to launch new, economy extended stay brands as they move downmarket; and chew over stellar results from Wyndham and Accor, both enjoying an uplift from a strong snapback in Asia.
HotelAnalystPodcast27Apr2023
April 27, 2023 10:28 - 26 minutes - 23.9 MBInvestors pile into luxury and lifestyle hotels - and we look to LVMH for further brand inspiration, while speculating on Accor’s future, too. Integrated resorts - complete with a casino - look to be moving forward both in Europe, and in Japan too, but pushing them to delivery is hard work. And Spain is enjoying an influx as the international brands take over hotels that were previously independently owned. The move is accelerating…
HotelAnalystPodcast22Apr2023
April 22, 2023 10:15 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MBWho's winning the distribution game, as international travel opens up once more. Simple answer, Google - but what else is going on? Pubs with rooms get their act together, they're more boutique than budget accommodation these days. And the UK government makes clear the direction they want to head as they clarify regulation of short lets.
HotelAnalystPodcast15Apr2023
April 15, 2023 10:07 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MBIt’s getting harder, and more expensive, to borrow funds for hotel investment - and that’s no bad thing, we argue. Germany has seen its hotel market come back, good news for operators including Motel One and Deutsche Hospitality; but will DH remain in the ownership of Chinese group H World, or is the moment approaching for a sale? And can hotels be part of the revival of the UK’s ailing high streets? Travelodge is making a strong pitch to help out.
HotelAnalystPodcast11Apr2023
April 11, 2023 06:34 - 24 minutes - 22.5 MBReal estate investment values have been dropping, notably across retail and offices, as hotels are holding strong. Is the glass half empty, or half full? The sustainability debate - and where the hotel sector may face significant threats in the future. And Asian hotel groups finally get to see an uptick in business, as China eases open once more. The rest of the world will benefit, too, as the Chinese snap back into global travel.
HotelAnalystPodcast28Mar2023
March 28, 2023 08:41 - 27 minutes - 25 MBAccor launches a fresh push into the expanding branded residences market; Soho House picks up its old name as it looks to pick up profitability too; and student accommodation providers continue to enjoy a demographic boost
HotelAnalystPodcast22Mar2023
March 22, 2023 13:45 - 23 minutes - 21.4 MBFlexible office providers look to hotel-style franchising to accelerate their growth. But more importantly, will hybrid working provide opportunities for hotels? Marriott makes changes at the top - and those changes make it clear that it’s all about growth and brands. And Reits discover that big is beautiful, as well as providing a buffer of safety in uncertain times as debt markets tighten.
HotelAnalystPodcast15Mar2023
March 15, 2023 20:58 - 19 minutes - 17.7 MBHow Saudi Arabia is planning to outdo Dubai, with its megaprojects that will turn the kingdom into a post-oil tourism destination. Why vertical integration is working so well for Anglo-Irish group Dalata, and trans-European group PPHE. Plus how airlines, airports and air traffic control are letting the side down, when it comes to reinstating international long haul travel. The hotel rooms are waiting!
HotelAnalystPodcast10Mar2023
March 10, 2023 14:14 - 28 minutes - 26 MBReasons to be cheerful, as those in the UK hotel market look beyond recent, and current market challenges. IHG and Accor, both with a heavy stake in the Chinese hotel market, look forward to the upside of Asia’s reopening. And online bookings soar - good for leader Booking.com - but they continue to pay an awful lot to advertise their inventory.
HotelAnalystPodcast3Mar2023
March 03, 2023 14:19 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MBA conversation with Joe Stather, VP market leader for operational real estate at Questex, ahead of the International Hospitality Investment Forum taking place 15-17 May in Berlin. The event’s theme is “Fortune favours the bold” - so where should investors look for the best opportunities in the market, after the pandemic?
HotelAnalystPodcast25Feb2023
February 25, 2023 14:37 - 28 minutes - 26.4 MBBig beasts Hyatt and Marriott lead the pace of hotel group recovery. Airbnb’s stock rose after a solid 2022 with growing profits, but where’s the next opportunity for the platform? And we wonder what franchise specialists Choice and Wyndham will buy next, as they generate cash.
HOFTELHApodcast16Feb2023
February 16, 2023 09:51 - 25 minutes - 23 MBA chat with Simon Allison of HOFTEL, ahead of the Gulf & Indian Ocean Hotel Investors' Summit 2023. Why has Dubai performed so strongly, where are new hotels in the region popping up?