Hotel News Now each week features a news roundup from a different region of the world. Today’s review covers the Americas.
December 2016 pipeline data
The Central/South America region reported 62,861 rooms in 403 projects under contract for December 2016, pipeline data from STR, HNN’s parent company, shows.
The region saw an 11.3% decrease in projects in construction for the month when compared to December 2015. The Central/South America region had 27,696 rooms in 169 projects for the month.
Pipeline data for the Caribbean/Mexico region shows 31,570 rooms in 188 projects under contract for December 2016.
There were 12,387 rooms in 82 projects in construction for December 2016, which is a 6.9% increase when compared to December 2015.
Top markets for US hotel openings in the new year
New York City and several Texas markets are expected to have the most hotel openings in the U.S. in 2017, data from STR shows.
In the top 20 markets, 64,464 rooms are expected to open in 2017, and 468 hotels are expected to open in these markets. A total of 149,592 rooms in 1,269 hotels are expected to open in the U.S. in 2017.
US, Canada end-of-year roundtable
In an end-of-year roundtable, hoteliers and analysts discussed the effects of politics, oil and currency on hotels in the U.S. and Canada.
Sources said they’re optimistic about hotel performance in oil markets in 2017, and believe a lower Canadian dollar could positively impact tourism.
“The lower Canadian dollar has had a very positive impact on domestic tourism. Canadians are staying at home, and international travelers are increasing because of their buying power. The combination of the two has created very strong growth across the country, which should continue in to 2017. This has probably had a negative effect on Canadian leisure travel to U.S. sun destinations,” Glenn Squires, CEO of Pacrim Hospitality, said.
Hoteliers ride wave of tourism growth in Hawaii
Hawaii’s hotel industry has been benefitting from an increase in tourism, HNN’s Robert McCune reports.
Visitor spending in Hawaii increased by 10.4% compared to 2015, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, reaching $1.2 billion. Hotels in the state reported an 11% increase in revenue per available room to $185 in September. Average daily rate rose to $235.65 in September 2016 and occupancy increased 78.5%.
In 2016, Hilton Worldwide Holdings doubled its numbers of hotels in Hawaii.
“As a significant visitor increase correlates to an increase in spending, there’s now a higher demand for lodging,” said Jerry Gibson, area VP at Hilton. “Hence, the addition of four new Hilton hotels varying in price and range and amenities, strategically located in emerging destinations.”
Deals and developments
- InterContinental Hotel Group announced the groundbreaking for two Staybridge Suites properties in Mexico. The Staybridge Suites Irapuato will open in Irapuato, Mexico, and the Staybridge Suites Silao will open in Silao, Mexico.
- The Naïa Resort and Spa in Placencia, Belize, opened this month.
- Kimpton Kawana Bay Grenada Resort is scheduled to open in 2019.
- Hilton Worldwide Holdings signed nine properties in Mexico, including the Hilton Guadalajara Midtown, the Hilton Garden Inn Merida and the Hilton Garden Inn Mexico City Santa Fe.
- Playa Hotels & Resorts went public with its Panama Jack partnership. Playa will redevelopm two existing all-inclusive properties under the Panama Jack brand.
Compiled by Danielle Hess.