Tit for tat: Similar to what it did on Monday with Marriott International, Airbnb on late Tuesday told HOTELS it sent letters to the CEOs of Hyatt Worldwide, IHG and Pebblebrook Hotel Trust suggesting some of their investment practices are unfairly subsidized by tax dollars, pricing tactics gouge consumers, security policies are lacking and worker pay practices depress wages. The AH&LA responded to HOTELS by saying, among other things, that Airbnb’s attack on the hotel industry is downright shameful and a pathetic attempt to hide from their own lack of transparency and accountability in their shady ‘voluntary’ tax deals. The hotel companies targeted by Airbnb referred HOTELS to the AH&LA statement.
Pandox eyeing Jury Inn: A Swedish hotel investment firm is looking to acquire Jury’s Inn’s hotel business for £800 million (US$1.1 billion) from its US private equity owner, according to reporting from The Financial Times. Stockholm-listed Pandox wants to purchase 36 hotels in Britain and Ireland from distressed-debt investor Lone Star, as well as the Hilton Garden Inn Heathrow as part of the package.
HNA leadership moves: China-based HNA Group has reshuffled leadership of its tourism unit, which includes its flagship Hainan Airlines. Xin Di, chairman and chief executive officer of HNA Tourism Group Co. and a board member of HNA Group, no longer held those roles, an HNA spokeswoman said.
Luxury coming to Bangkok. Langham Hospitality Group, Hong Kong, on Wednesday announced an agreement with Canapaya Development Co. to manage The Langham, Bangkok at Chao Phraya River by the banks of Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. The hotel with 207 rooms and 43 suites is expected to open in 2021.
Interval and Grand Caymanian Resort: Interval International, an operating business of ILG and West Bay Hospitality, a subsidiary of investment firm Singerman Real Estate, has entered into a multiyear affiliation agreement for the Grand Caymanian Resort. The mixed-use property has an established vacation ownership program and is located in the Cayman Islands’ North Sound.
STR data, Asia Pacific: Hotels in the Asia Pacific region reported positive results in the three key performance metrics during October, according to data from STR. In Asia Pacific: Occupancy: +0.7% to 71.7%; Average daily rate: +2.3% to US$104.15; RevPAR: +2.9% to US$74.68. Despite notable supply growth (+3.1%), occupancy rose due to a 4.5% year-over-year increase in demand. STR analysts partially attribute that demand growth to inbound arrivals, especially from Mainland China.
STR data, Middle East: Hotels in the Middle East reported mixed performance results during October 2017, while hotels in Africa posted growth across the three key performance indicators, according to data from STR. In the Middle East: Occupancy: +3.3% to 64.9%; Average daily rate: -4.0% to US$163.27; RevPAR: -0.8% to US$106.04. In Africa: Occupancy: +7.6% to 62.5%; Average daily rate: +8.4% to US$105.89; RevPAR: +16.7% to US$66.14.
STR data, Central/South America: Hotels in the Central/South America region reported positive year-over-year results in the three key performance metrics during October 2017, according to data from STR. In Central/South America: Occupancy: +7.3% to 60.6%; Average daily rate: +13.0% to US$108.91; RevPAR: +21.3% to US$66.01. Nearly flat supply coupled with a significant increase in demand drove occupancy for the month, while the spike in ADR came as a result of inflation. STR analysts point out that if demand continues at the same level, Argentina will achieve total-year occupancy above 60% for the first time since 2011.