San Francisco

IHG and Choice were optimistic about the rest of the year, though Choice moderated its outlook. The lodging sector expanded with Kessler Collection and others breaking ground.

The Al-Bahar Group, the majority shareholder of Yotel, has taken an extra 30% stake, raising its total stake in Yotel to more than 95%.

NTTO forecasts the total volume of international visitors to the U.S. will increase to 77.1 million in 2025, up 6.5% from 72.4 million visitors in 2024.

In 2024, Marriott International expanded in Caribbean and Latin America, adding 30 properties, 8,000 rooms, and growing its pipeline to 27,817 rooms.

SH Hotels & Resorts is rebranding as Starwood Hotels, reviving the iconic name founded by Barry Sternlicht.

Mint House’s acquisition of Locale brings its short-term rental portfolio to 13 markets across the U.S.

The ALIS Conference reflected cautious optimism about the hotel industry's future, with hopes for policy changes, modest RevPAR growth, transaction market challenges, and a suggestion that Taylor Swift could boost travel demand.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced a record pipeline of 138,000 rooms, expanded its Lifestyle Portfolio with acquisitions, appointed new leaders, and continues to strengthen its brand offerings for growth and profitability.

Global travel and tourism sector deals declined by 4.3% in 2024, with private equity deals rising, M&A deals slightly increasing, and venture financing deals dropping, while Europe saw growth and other regions faced declines.

Aimbridge Hospitality is restructuring its finances by converting $1.1 billion in debt to equity, securing $100 million in new capital, and shifting majority ownership to its first lien lenders, with completion expected in early 2025.