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1. US jobs grew more than expected in April but unemployment unchanged
Amid uncertainty and volatility in the stock market, the United States added 177,000 jobs in April, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data published Friday. While this figure is down from 228,000 jobs added in March, both months have been stronger than expected by economists. The unemployment rate remained at its historically low level at 4.2%, CNN reported.
Economists, according to polling by data firm FactSet, originally predicted 135,000 new jobs last month and that the unemployment rate would remain at 4.2%. The stock market responded accordingly, with futures rising Friday morning — Dow futures rose 0.77%, S&P 500 futures increased 0.78% and Nasdaq 100 were up 0.73%.
"April’s jobs report marks another solid month of employment gains and a continuation of a historic expansion of the labor market, but that’s on the backdrop of growing recession fears," CNN reported. "Since staging a stunning recovery from the pandemic, the labor market has been a pillar of strength for the economy. It remains to be seen if that will persist amid the historically high level of uncertainty sowed by President Donald Trump’s policies."
2. Tristan Capital Partners to buy EasyHotel
London-based Tristan Capital Partners is expected to acquire EasyGroup's share capital of its EasyHotel brand, CoStar News' Terence Baker reported. The deal is subject to approval by shareholders.
EasyGroup stated that approximately 189.5 million shares, or 81% of the entire share issue, were being transferred at an aggregate price of €196.13 million ($222 million). The deal includes the 17.38% of EasyHotel that is owned by the Haji-Ioannou family office, thus placing an overall value of the entire EasyHotel firm at approximately €242 million.
In August 2024, EasyHotel executives said they were “exploring various strategic options regarding the company, including the possible sale of the entire issued, and to be issued, share capital of the company.”
3. Decline predicted for US inbound international travel in 2025
In light of global trends in the travel industry, STR took a look at recent data to analyze potential impact for the hotel industry. In March, the U.S. saw nearly a 12% drop in inbound international travel. Tourism Economics is now anticipating a 9% decline in international inbound arrivals for the full year — which includes a 20% drop in travel from Canada.
"Building around that projection, STR ran four scenarios to show the potential impact on U.S. hotel demand. If international inbound falls 5% for the year, the industry would lose 3 million room nights sold. For context, U.S. hotels sold 1.3 billion room nights last year," reads the STR article. "Of course, if the decline in international inbound is steeper, the impact on demand becomes more significant. Our analysis shows that a 1% reduction in international inbound would reduce hotel demand by 5 basis points."
The data also points to steady future bookings among major U.S. markets.
4. Latest earnings calls reveal conservative outlooks from hotel CEOs
Host Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels Corp., Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Summit Hotel Properties each held their first quarter earnings calls on Thursday, CoStar Hotels' team reported. Each of the companies' CEOs seemingly are treading carefully through uncertain times and wavering hotel demand.
“Demand trends appear to be holding for now, but the potential for deteriorating lodging fundamentals has increased,” said Jim Risoleo, Host president and CEO, during the hotel real estate investment trust’s first-quarter earnings call.
Hyatt's Mark Hoplamazian expressed hope amid the "choppy environment," and Wyndham's Geoff Ballotti said he's encouraged by recent trends after some softening in hotel demand over the past few months. Summit's John Stanner said that while performance is "currently tracking toward the lower end" of its annual guidance, dips in demand aren't yet at concerning levels.
5. Lake Tahoe hotel to be renamed in $160 million renovation
Harvey's Lake Tahoe, a 742-room, 1.6 million-square-foot hotel built in 1955, will be transformed into Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe Hotel & Casino this summer, Caesars Entertainment announced in a news release. The property, which will remain open through the $160 million renovation, will officially be rebranded beginning July 1. Per CoStar data, Caesars has been associated with the property since October 2017.
“Lake Tahoe is a stunning destination, and we’re elated to bring a new world-class resort worthy of its allure to the lakefront,” said Anthony Carano, president and chief operating officer of Caesars Entertainment. “The property transformation has begun and will continue throughout 2026 with the all-new hotel tower, hotel lobby, stellar restaurants and the start of a completely reimagined casino coming online this summer for our guests to enjoy right away.”
The hotel's lobby and 88,000-square-foot casino will both undergo complete transformations, and new gambling equipment will be installed. All of the rooms in one tower will be renovated, too — the property's other tower underwent room renovations in 2020. A new lobby bar, Cleo’s Coffee and Cocktails, will also be unveiled as a part of the transformation.