Wyndham extends fee relief, cancels conference
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts will be extending fee relief measures for its franchisees through June 2020. The extended relief includes revenue management service, loyalty retraining, MOP and quality inspection fees for an additional 30 days. The company is also postponing its 2021 global conference to help relieve franchisees of event-related fees. Wyndham took the first steps back in March, when it implemented a series of significant relief measures to help franchisees through the first 90 days of the pandemic, including the deferral of all fees accruing for the months of March, April and May through September 1.
CNN partners with World Tourism for travel campaign
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has partnered with CNN International for a new initiative designed to prepare people for travel again. The #TravelTomorrow campaign starts with a 60-second film, which will be shown on CNN International and its social media and also be amplified by UNWTO’s own media channels.
Oberoi’s health and safety program
The Oberoi Group has rolled out new health and safety standards. In addition to impeccable hygiene standards, food and beverage outlets at both Oberoi and Trident hotels will ensure safe distancing; guests can also get meals delivered to their rooms, suites and function rooms. Master chefs across the organization have researched and developed menus comprising immunity-building wellness dishes and drinks. Hotels additionally will ensure their fleet of owned and operated cars are thoroughly sanitized before and after each trip.
Historic lows for Central/South America performance in April
Reflecting impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Central/South America hotel industry reported historic performance lows during April, according to data from STR. (All figures are in U.S. dollar constant currency, April 2020 versus April 2019):
Occupancy: -79.7% to 11.6%
ADR: -28.7% to US$61.83
RevPAR: -85.5% to US$7.17
The absolute occupancy and RevPAR levels were the lowest for any month on record in the region.
Panama: Occupancy: -69.2% to 14.0%; ADR: -49.1% to PAB47.71 (US$48); RevPAR: -84.3% to PAB6.69 (US$7). The absolute levels in each of the three key performance metrics were the lowest for any month in STR’s Panama database. Panama City experienced a 68.5% decrease in occupancy.
Ecuador: Occupancy: -85.3% to 9.0%; ADR: -36.3% to US$61.69; RevPAR: -90.6% to US$5.56. The absolute occupancy, ADR and RevPAR levels were the lowest for any month in STR’s Ecuador database. Quito recorded an occupancy decline of 84.0%.
Europe fared no better in April
Europe’s hotel industry also reported unprecedented performance lows during April, data from STR shows. (Euro constant currency, April 2020 versus April 2019):
Occupancy: -84.6% to 11.1%
ADR: -30.1% to €77.52 (US$84)
RevPAR: -89.2% to €8.58 (US$9)
The absolute occupancy and RevPAR levels were the lowest for any month on record in Europe.
Russia: Occupancy: -89.0% to 7.2%; ADR: -25.3% to RUB3,712.65 (US$52); RevPAR: -91.8% to RUB267.20 (US$4). The absolute levels in each of the three metrics were the lowest for any month in STR’s Russia database. Among key markets in the country, Moscow and Saint Petersburg saw single-digit absolute occupancy levels during the month, 9.1% and 2.8%, respectively.
Netherlands: Occupancy: -90.0% to 8.2%; ADR: -41.6% to €82.69 (US$90); RevPAR: -94.2% to €6.76 (US$7). The absolute occupancy and RevPAR levels were the lowest for any month in STR’s Netherlands database. At the market level, Amsterdam’s occupancy fell 92.6% to 6.4%.
Unprecedented lows for Middle East and Africa in April
Hotels in the Middle East and Africa reported unprecedented performance lows during April, according to data from STR. (U.S. dollar constant currency, April 2020 versus April 2019):
Middle East
Occupancy: -58.0% to 31.2%
ADR: -35.1% to US$95.54
RevPAR: -72.7% to US$29.82
Africa
Occupancy: -79.8% to 12.5%
ADR: -31.1% to US$77.85
RevPAR: -86.1% to US$9.75
Both the Middle East and Africa saw their lowest absolute occupancy and RevPAR levels for any month on record.
Saudi Arabia: Occupancy: -50.4% to 31.8%; ADR: +4.9% to SAR474.66 (US$126); RevPAR: -47.9% to SAR151.11 (US$40). The absolute occupancy level in Saudi Arabia was the lowest for any April since 2003. Key markets in the country, Jeddah and Riyadh, recorded 53.9% and 39.9% occupancy declines, respectively.
Qatar: Occupancy: -33.0% to 48.8%; ADR: +4.6% to QAR410.36 (US$109); RevPAR: -29.9% to QAR200.45 (US$53). The absolute occupancy level was the lowest for any April in STR’s Qatar database. At the market level, Doha Centre experienced a drop in occupancy of 32.4%.
Record lows for Asia Pacific hotel performance in April
The Asia Pacific hotel industry has also reported record lows in the three key performance metrics during April, according to data from STR. (U.S. dollar constant currency, April 2020 versus April 2019):
Occupancy: -60.3% to 28.0%
ADR: -44.8% to US$54.97
RevPAR: -78.1% to US$15.38
The absolute levels in each of the three KPIs were the lowest for any month on record in the region.
South Korea: Occupancy: -70.8% to 20.0%; ADR: -21.0% to KRW112,897.83 (US$91); RevPAR: -76.9% to KRW22,536.18 ($18). Each of the three key performance metrics were up from March but remained the lowest for any April on record in the country. Incheon & Seoul experienced a 75.2% year-over-year decrease in occupancy (to 18.8%).
Australia: Occupancy: -72.7% to 19.9%; ADR: -33.1% to AUD119.87 (US$78); RevPAR: -81.7% to AUD23.85 (US$16). The absolute occupancy, ADR and RevPAR levels were the lowest for any month in STR’s Australia database. Among key markets, Melbourne and Sydney saw year-over-year occupancy declines of 65.0% and 73.7%, respectively. Returning travelers are predominantly keeping occupancy up, as seen in Adelaide, where year-over-year occupancy declines eased slightly during April to May 13 due to returning travelers from India.
Elsewhere: Orient-Express founder Sherwood dies
James Sherwood, founder of the Orient-Express hotel group (now Belmond) died on May 18, aged 86. Sherwood, a student of Yale University, founded the Orient-Express hotel group, building it into a portfolio of over 50 luxury hotels including such famous names as the Cipriani Hotel in Venice, the Splendido in Portofino and the Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro. One venture that was particularly close to his heart was his relaunch of the famed Venice Simplon- Orient-Express as a luxury train service between London and Venice.