Hotel Analyst Podcast

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 August, 2022

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 little in the way of visibility of its strategy.

Recorded on 6 July 2022

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?