Hotel Analyst Podcast

Like a frog slowly coming to the boil in a pot, the hospitality sector has finally realised it has a problem - and it's time to look after its people better. Hotel brands and collection affiliations win, with more signups as brands outperform OTAs. And we're surely seeing a travel recovery as 2022 unfolds.

Real estate remains a major attraction for international investors - with no end of competition for hotels. Asia Pacific slowly recovers from the pandemic. Plus optimism in Spain that 2022 will see a busy summer.

There are few takers for retail space right now, and so we’re seeing a rise in conversions to hotels - but it’s not as easy as it might look. Secure Income Reit and Merlin come to an unusual lease extension agreement. And TUI is looking for well-backed partners to help them bulk up their hotel portfolio.

Looking forward as agents report increased optimism in the hotel sector. Looking back at investment deals that made it over the line towards the end of 2021. And discussing how third party managers are faring, as Henderson Park buys Amaris.

We debate the consequences of the Omicron panic, as knee jerk government reactions do more harm than good. Investor Brookfield takes a step into the left field, backing French group Experimental - so why are Accor's shares so low? And we consider whether the heat in the student accommodation market is justified, and likely to continue.

More hospitality businesses list on the public markets, and we look at one of them - Selina; amalgamating third party managers look forward to a busy 2022; and a breakthrough deal in the Italian hotel market for investor Azora

An optimistic outlook from Deloitte's annual hotel conference; why the newly listed MCG (or Soho House, as you know it) may struggle mixing growth with exclusivity; and how new banks have created a new lending environment. Plus - ever the danger when talking current affairs - we guess wrong on UK government covid policy.....

We discuss the omicron omnishambles, as government knee-jerk reactions to the new covid strain further kick the travel sector; find optimism nonetheless from hotel investors; and talk about how major hotel groups are now outsourcing tech, which means they'll enjoy smarter IT in future

Profits are up at UK hotels, as strong trading continues after the staycation summer boost. But what has the sector lost, permanently, to covid-19? With COP26 taking place, there are plenty of commitments to more sustainability - though flying remains problematic. And the Spanish hotel groups fight their way back to profit - with upmarket hotels doing particularly well.

Big groups Wyndham, Marriott and Choice bounce back, with US hotels leading the charge; the OTAs are chipper, too - but why are Airbnb shares still so overvalued? And Accor makes a big Middle Eastern play