Hotel Analyst Podcast

Results season comments looking at the contrasting fortunes of Whitbread and Scandic; how variable rents are returning for landlord Pandox; and Hilton's strong performance, and even stronger optimism from CEO Chris Nassetta

TUI struggles to recover, tapping shareholders for more funds despite a busy summer. IHG's surprisingly strong summer, as it continues to cull older hotels from its US portfolio. Plus, views on recovery in the UK - will it continue as strongly as it appears. And, just as important for investors, when will lenders start tightening the screws on overleveraged hotel owners?

In conversation with Simon Allison, chairman and CEO of Hoftel, the hotel owners’ network, talking post-pandemic tensions between owners and brands. Along the way discussing how the brands love to charge, what they deliver in return - and why some owners are wondering whether those two items still remain in balance.

Investors are making a confident bid on the recovery of business travel, buying hotels in UK cities - Henderson Park being the latest to wade in. Elsewhere, student accommodation is also seeing private equity investment too. And we have more new brands - good for customer choice, or missing the mark?

Up close and personal this week with Nick Edwards, chief operating officer at Audley Group. Their Audley and Mayfield Villages are designed with active elder living in mind - much like a hotel, just one where the guests stay much longer. Nick explains Audley’s build for sale model, allied to a vertically integrated hospitality operation covering food and beverage, wellness facilities, and maintena...

Accor completes the deal with Ennismore, to create a new focused lifestyle hotel division - why are lifestyle properties performing so well? Indian disruptor Oyo prepares to list, but faces headwinds in its efforts to establish an international presence. And the big brands renew their push into China, but where's the return?

Jo Biden calls it "normalcy" - we're seeing more signs of a return to previous levels of travel. Plus, digital innovation accelerates in the accommodation space; and how Premier Inn is making an impact in an improving German market.

Early signs of distress, as The Collective sees administration in the UK and Safestay starts a strategic review: branded residences grow in scale and spread; and finding a way towards carbon neutrality

DEI - diversity, equity and inclusion is the latest acronym that company bosses need to focus on - how is the sector faring? Differing views on how the short stay sector is likely to fare, as it enjoys some post-pandemic traction. And why luxury hotel brands are fighting for city space, seemingly unhindered by the pandemic

Aparthotel operators gear up for growth after a better pandemic than hotels; the challenges valuers face, in a topsy turvy market; and thoughts as hotel investment transactions are picking up.

Differing views from the Berlin conference, as Chris Nassetta and Sebastien Bazin disagree on how travel will come back; how hotels need to act to handle cancellations; and what Europe's booming hotel pipeline will deliver.

Resort operators and tour operators Fosun, TUI and Jet2 welcome - finally - the return of punters seeking sand, sun - and, in the case of Fosun's Club Med, snow too. Co-living recovers, and investors are looking to extract a yield arbitrage; and India's major hotel companies eye opportunities and corporate splits, as the pandemic panic in the country wanes.

Airbnb results show a strong snap back in accommodation demand - but not at the expense of hotels, it seems. Hyatt’s takeover of resort group Apple shows the strength of leisure and resorts, and adds further momentum to Hyatt’s rising stock. And student accommodation providers bounce back as students book to return to campus. Investors are flocking around.

InterContinental teases its new collection brand, while culling its Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza portfolio; the pain in Spain eases, as holidaymakers from northern Europe are finally allowed to travel; and how investor KSL is tilting towards extended stay.

Second quarter results reveal how the recovery is going; how and when business travel will come back; pandemic winners Choice and Hyatt; and where European hotel groups are right now.

Challenger banks ensure debt finance is ready to support hotel projects; how alternatives such as serviced apartments and villa rentals are picking up new consumers; and why investors are still moving into student accommodation.

Deal momentum builds in the UK hotels market; after a tough pandemic, hostels are ready to bounce back - and are the big hotel groups poised to take an interest? Plus, finally, face to face meetings are on their way back into corporate diaries.

Roompot takes over Landal to create a European holiday park giant, as private equity investors buy into growth. Job cuts, and staff shortages? How hospitality is recalibrating its staffing resource. And as Spain's hotel market bookings rise towards 2019 levels, investors miss out on bargains.

News from Premier Inn and Scandic that show hotel occupancy graphs are pointing in a positive direction, across European markets; OTAs try to get respectable - but bad news is never far away; and Middle Eastern mergers as the emirates look to build their tourism offer

Frustration in England, as the UK government stalls on its roadmap out of covid restrictions; third party operators look for new business; how will a tempered return to work affect hotels? And differing views of the way ahead in the hotel sector.

Private equity gets creative in hotel investment; China's substantial market recovery gives the rest of the world hope; and TUI chases digital growth, as it sells out of hotel ownership.

Private equity moves into a consolidating holiday park market; Oyo regroups; and investment activity starts to build. Plus, Anders Nissen remembered

Accor's decided to sponsor a SPAC - into which to put all its non-accommodation initiatives; Airbnb is still losing money - and short of hosts; and with fitness front of mind after the pandemic, is there an opportunity for hotels to join in the exercise?

Buoyant hotel brands thrive, while their landlords struggle - a fair relationship? While in Spain the pain continues, as NH and Melia hoist for sale signs at their hotels. And how ground leases make sense as a source of cash for hotel owners.

The rise of holiday rentals - and how hotels will fight back; why the big hotel brands are convinced there's a return to normalcy coming; and sorting out that massive rent arrears bill.