Hotel Analyst Podcast

Memberships and subscriptions look like a great revenue stream, but how do you ensure they're profitable? As Hoxton extends its brand into ski chalets, and Ritz-Carlton's cruise yacht launches, what is a brand? And Hyatt adds another lifestyle brand group.

Ahead of Hoftel's Atlantic Ocean Hotel Investors' Summit in January, Simon Allison of Hoftel discusses hot topics for discussion, including the impact of inflation, who is really picking up on ESG issues, and how brand mergers are impacting owners and operators. https://aohis.co

Investors are wrestling with a rapidly changing cost and interest rate environment, but deals are still getting done. In Spain, IHG’s deal with Iberostar is a smart way to get into a tightly held marketplace. We debate the industry’s ongoing challenge in attracting staff, and some thoughts from world cup returnee Andrew, on Qatar. recorded 30 Nov 2022

Back to normal for the major hotel groups and the OTAs, as strong Q3 results show most are now trading ahead of pre-pandemic levels. What to do with all that cash. But why are some share prices languishing? And an update after two London investment conferences where confidence in the future was high. Recorded 19 Nov 2022

Serviced apartment operators are going from strength to strength - and new entrants are finding space to launch, too. Whitbread has set a new UK growth target, as it takes advantage of "mom & pop" operators dropping from the accommodation market. Plus the big guns like the look of the resort market, as leisure and business trips blend out of the pandemic.

Hospitality tackles green issues - but is still struggling at large with measuring its progress. Hyatt's new deal with Lindner, following Wyndham's Vienna House deal, really changes the German brand landscape. And investors are increasingly blending accommodation types, with student specialist Unite getting into BTR. recorded 3 Nov 2022

Consumers remain keen to travel and stay away, at the same time as confidence being reported at all-time lows. And although financing costs are rising, deals are getting done, and investors are eyeing further substantial commitments into the European hotel sector. And third party operators regroup and prepare to grow as European hotel owners, and the brand groups, look for better performance. Reco...

Meetings and events are back, as we consign Zoom to occasional use. Regional authorities look to slap tourist taxes on arrivals - rarely a great idea. And more Asian countries reopen for international travel - great news for hotels there. But China still remains closed….and the air travel industry is struggling.

In conversation with Joe Stather of Questex, talking operational real estate and how other sectors are learning from hotels. Reflecting on Hotel Analyst's OpRE event, as well as looking forward to the upcoming Annual Hotel Conference.

How can hoteliers best react to a world of rising input costs? A conversation with Andrew Parsons of Pelican Procurement Services talking ideas of how to contain costs for everything from milk and butter, to vegetables and energy. In such volatile times, what can a specialist bring to the table?

Hotels have stood shoulder to shoulder, pushing room rates to help recover performance - but will they be able to do so as the economy tightens? A European Commission report shines a light on how the hotel-OTA relationship has developed. Plus, as the sector continues to face staffing challenges, the enterprising work out how to look after their people better. Recorded 19 Sept 2022

The big hotel groups get back to signing more brands, growing their portfolios with growing flags including Emblems and Delta. Online travel platforms angle jostle for the best of the market - long stay, short stay, or both? And as Huazhu renames itself once more and reveals a move upmarket in China, where’s the sense in keeping its European arm, Deutsche Hospitality?

What’s happening with the return to the office after the pandemic? And how will this affect corporate hotel demand? Deal volume is building across Europe’s hotel markets once more - but wobbles remain around debt costs. And how ground rents are faring, in uncharted economic times. Recorded 5 Sept 2022

Serviced offices learn from hotels as they expand by franchising - but WeWork has still yet to turn a profit. In serviced apartments, Sonder has also realised the need for profit. And in Asia, Indian Hotels has just delivered its best quarter ever, as Puneet Chhatwal delivers. Recorded 30 Aug 2022

Luxury and leisure are the winners for Hyatt and IHG; it’s another staycation summer for many; and as Azora buys its first Greek hotel, the country offers opportunities for the big hotel brands

The big beasts, Marriott and Hilton, see business back largely to normal - but will they fall foul of economic slowdown? Institutions are looking at getting more involved in the UK housing market - as are hotel brands, too. And we weigh up who's going to do best out of the franchise businesses Choice and Wyndham. One's just acquired Radisson Americas, the other is looking to buy. Recorded 10 Augus...

Results season - and most hotel companies are surprised by the strength and speed of the recovery. Accor surprises us with news of a restructure; Scandic has snapped back after a very rough pandemic; Pandox eyes returning markets; while in Spain, NH and Melia record strong profits as leisure travellers return to the Med in big numbers. Recorded 3 August 2022

Third party operators look for expansion opportunities, after deepening relationships with owners during the pandemic. Takeover time in serviced apartments, as the brands chase market presence. And views on the market from south east Asia. Recorded 12 July 2022

The mismatch between broadly bearish economic outlooks and positive hotel metrics continues, how does this impact those seeking finance? And will we see recession? Tour groups revive their business, and with a new CEO, TUI looks to build an asset light business with more own branded hotels. And as Radisson steps up its EMEA expansion, we ponder its owner Jin Jiang, which despite its size gives us...

The living sector starts to deploy more smart technology, to improve utilisation and the yield from their properties. Staff shortages continue - and are demanding ever more creative solutions. And as Qatari investors buy a slice of Ennismore, what’s the right format to expand at pace?

How can investors make the most of the potential in operational real estate? Richard Bursby and Paul Leamy of Taylor Wessing discuss what the attraction is, and how the hotelisation of student accommodation, rental homes and other buildings with beds is providing opportunities. The pair will be part of the Operational Real Estate Festival, happening on 20 September 2022 in London - more details at...

Economy brands Premier Inn, Scandic, Motel One and Travelodge all report stronger than expected first quarter performance. Choice buys the American part of the Radisson business - what does that mean for the future? Plus fractional ownership remains a challenge - but hotel Reits may suit investors better

Are we heading for a recession - or are too many people simply trying to talk us into one? International businesses pull out of Russia - with Marriott taking a lead in the hotel sector. And how Africa continues to be an enigmatic opportunity for hotel brands.

Why investors are teaming up with hotel operators, in the search for solid returns; as travel opens up, the pundits upgrade growth estimates - but there are growing pains, too; and as Oyo stalls its IPO, how can the tech disruptors differentiate themselves?

Subscriptions look to be delivering for Soho House - with a longer waiting list despite raised prices - who else will jump to the subscription model? With more dry powder than ever, investors are challenged to look for decent returns, often from operational real estate. (Don't forget our Operational Real Estate Festival - https://op-re.com) And as more hotel groups get to grips with reducing carbo...