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London RevPAR growth softens

Regional performance continues to deteriorate as London RevPAR growth is softening

According to the Q4 2019 UK Hotel Market Tracker London recorded RevPAR growth of 0.9% for the final quarter of the decade. Report published by AlixPartners, STR and HVS,

Whilst these figures are encouraging, hoteliers will be keeping a close eye on softening occupancy, especially given active pipeline levels above 10%.

Regional RevPAR declined 2.7% in Q4. The regions posted a decline of 1.9% for the full year 2019, marking the first annual decline since 2015.

Transaction volumes were 19% down in 2019, as increased portfolio activity was more than offset by a steep decline in single assets sales.

Transactions are up in Q4 2019 and with greater political certainty, investors are likely to be cautiously optimistic about a resurgence in activity heading into 2020.

Click here for the full report.

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EDGE Venues appoints Tracy Winsworth as new MD

EDGE Venues, specialists in global venue sourcing for meetings and events, have appointed Tracy Winsworth into the newly created role of Managing Director.

The appointment comes as Jacqui Kavanagh, CEO of Trinity EDGE Holdings, continues to make further investment into both EDGE Venues and Trinity Event Solutions as the businesses trade under their separate entities. 

Jacqui launched EDGE Venues in December 2018 with Tracy supporting as Commercial Director. In the 12 months, the business has been operating, Jacqui has been mentoring Tracy to take the reins to become Managing Director. 

Tracy has been in the meetings and events industry for more than ten years, having started with Trinity Event Solutions as Finance Manager. Tracy shares her excitement at this new opportunity: “Both EDGE Venues and I have been on a fantastic 12-month journey. Having developed as a person over the 10 years, both within the business and industry, I’m excited to see how we can continue driving results and success for EDGE. 

“We want EDGE to be the ‘go-to’ platform for corporates and agents to source venues, and for venues that wish to achieve growth in the corporate market. I look forward to taking the platform forward and seeing what the future holds for us.”

Jacqui, CEO for Trinity EDGE Holdings, explains the importance of this appointment: “It’s important that Trinity Event Solutions and EDGE Venues are considered separate entities. I need to oversee both businesses while having the best management team in place to run each company. Tracy has been with me from the original EDGE concept and having worked closely with her on the commercial side, I know she’s ready for this role. 

“This is such an exciting time for us all as there’s so much happening in our industry. It needs to adapt, and EDGE, through its innovative technology, is a disruptor which is driving some of that change.” 

EDGE Venues, supported more than 4,000 events in its first year through its comprehensive booking platform. EDGE not only offers a venue-finding solution for all event planners and agencies, but it’s also seen as an engagement platform, providing expert industry trends, knowledge, and insight.

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Opening of the refurbished Malta Marriott Hotel & Spa

The Malta Marriott Hotel & Spa located in Balluta, St. Julian’s opened on 13th of January 2020, following a €30m investment in renovation.

The 5* hotel is a 20-minute drive from the island’s capital Valletta and 12 km from Malta International Airport. It is located next to a sandy beach and a seafront promenade within the bustling, cosmopolitan town of St. Julian’s.

There are 13 different meeting spaces all on the dedicated meetings floor of the building, connected through a series of syndicate rooms, with terraces and gardens to enjoy breaks outside. The largest space is the gallery with capacity of 320 in theatre-style. All the meeting rooms have natural daylight.

The Malta Marriott Hotel is contemporary in style, with 301 bedrooms — including 25 Club Rooms, 29 Suites and a 150 square-metre Presidential Suite with views of Balluta Bay. There are indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a fully equipped spa and fitness centre.

The Malta Marriott also has a M Club Lounge, which is on the top floor, with outdoor terraces and views of the Mediterranean Sea. There are five restaurants and three bars, including its signature restaurant Taro housed at The Villa, a 19th century palazzo adjacent to the hotel’s grounds, overlooking the bay.

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Accor commits to being single-use plastic free by 2022

Accor has announced its commitment to join the UN Global Tourism Plastics Initiative and to remove all single-use plastic items in guest experience from its hotels by the end of 2022. This action by Accor toward reducing environmental impacts and strengthening efforts to combat plastic pollution of the world’s oceans and other natural environments is a significant step forward for the global hospitality industry and for the group, which has been committed to sustainability for many years.

As it advances its role as a responsible tourism provider locally and globally, Accor has committed to join the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Tourism Organization, in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

“We are aware of the significant impact we have on our planet and our responsibility to create tangible benefits for our employees, guests, suppliers, partners and host communities,” said Sébastien Bazin, Chairman & CEO, Accor. “What guides us is the consciousness and social awareness that drives every person who strives to be a good citizen. It’s about being aware, socially conscious and consistent.”

Welcoming over 120 million guests and serving more than 200 million meals each year, Accor takes its role as a responsible corporate citizen to heart, working within the framework of its sustainable development program, for the past 25 years. In addition to their previous commitment to eliminate all plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds, today’s new commitment includes:

  • The removal of individual plastic toiletry amenities and cups by the end of 2020.
  • The elimination of all remaining single-use plastic items in guestrooms, meeting areas, restaurants and all leisure activities areas (spas, fitness centers, etc.) by the end of 2022.

Single-use plastics are defined as disposable items that are used only once and then discarded. Examples include plastic straws, cotton buds, coffee stirrers, plastic cups, plastic bags for laundry or extra pillows, plastic water bottles, all plastic packaging (for food, welcome products, etc), plastic take-away dishes and tableware, plastic gifts and welcome products (toiletries, slippers, pencils, etc), plastic keycards. Relevant alternatives to plastic will be proposed for each specific item, considering Life Cycle Assessments to ensure better environmental performance for the solution proposed to our hotels.

With more than 200 million single-use plastic items used every year in all areas, hotels are already reducing significantly their impact. Several have deployed effective solutions by choosing more sustainable alternatives. For instance:

  • 94% of Accor’s hotels have eliminated the use of straws, cotton buds and stirrers. The remaining 6% (mostly in China) will do it by end of March 2020
  • 89% of ibis’ hotels are using dispensers for amenities as shampoos…. This means 2087 ibis family hotels have already dropped single use plastic for this equipment. Accor ibis family hotels in Latin America will follow the same initiative this year.
  • Fairmont has used new construction and renovation standards in another example of one of their brands’ efforts. Its hotels incorporate water filtration taps in guest rooms to eliminate bottled water altogether.

To go further, their new brand “Greet” was created to answer their guests’ needs, so it is in the brand’s DNA to be plastic free. There is zero disposable plastic at breakfast and reusable dishes are utilized for butter and jam. In addition, there is zero disposable plastic in rooms and other parts of the hotels.

Accor plans to open 10 more Greet hotels in Europe this year.

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Tempo by Hilton brand launched for ‘modern achievers’

Hilton has launched its 18th brand, Tempo, aimed at “modern achievers who seek a hotel experience that reflects their ambition” with lifestyle brand partnerships.

The brand is said to feature elements designed “to help ambitious guests continue their journey without disrupting their routine”, including morning and bedtime ‘rituals’ and mirrors with built-in Bluetooth speakers.

There are already 30 hotels under development for the lifestyle brand, which Hilton describes as “highly scalable”, and 30 more pending deals. Partnerships include Arianna Huffington’s Thrive Global, which tackles stress and burnout, and culinary firm Blau + Associates.

The food and beverage concepts, meanwhile, will include a lobby Fuel Bar serving complimentary coffee and teas; a casual café; and a bar serving cocktails and small plates. Additionally, Blau + Associates will collaborate with Hilton to form an advisory board of young up-and-coming chefs who will help curate seasonal menus.

The focus is currently on US cities with confirmed developments in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. Hilton said there are currently no plans to bring the brand to Europe.

Jon Witter, chief customer officer at Hilton, said: “Through our research, we found that while our current upscale offerings have been incredibly successful at earning loyalty among specific guest segments, there was a rising demographic of ambitious and highly discerning travellers that weren’t engaging with the category.”

Christopher J. Nassetta, president and chief executive of Hilton, said: “Tempo by Hilton is the latest example of our unique ability to anticipate what our guests are looking for and deliver unmatched value for customers and owners alike.”

Phil Cordell, SVP and global head of new brand development, Hilton, added: “Tempo by Hilton introduces a new concept by combining all the benefits and efficiencies owners expect from a limited service model with an uplifting dose of inspiration.

“Utilising a data-driven blueprint, we identified lifestyle offerings inside the guest rooms and throughout the property that push the entire sector to new heights. The end result is a compelling, yet approachable brand that enables owners to expand their portfolios in sought-after locations across the country as well as capture a new demographic of travellers.”

Hilton’s brand portfolio also includes brands such as Hampton, DoubleTree, and the more recently launched Motto and Signia. The company has a portfolio of nearly 6,000 properties with more than 954,000 rooms in 117 countries and territories.

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Best Western signs seven Corus Hotels

Sales and marketing consortium Best Western GB has added seven properties to its portfolio following the signing of an agreement with Corus Hotels.

The new partnership includes two Laura Ashley properties. The 82-bedroom Belsfield in Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, and the 17-bedroom Iliffe in Coventry. Both hotels will be marketed under the WorldHotels brand, acquired by Best Western last year.

The other hotels in the agreement include:

Mark Stanley, head of hotel development at Best Western GB, said: “The Corus and Laura Ashley agreement is the perfect way to start 2020, and continues our success of 2019, which was a fantastic year. We are incredibly proud to be working alongside this prestigious group.”

Yet King Loy, chief executive of Corus Hotels, which is owned by Malaysian group MUI, added. “We are delighted that our group of hotels is able to link with Best Western to gain wider market coverage and to provide an enhanced experience to our guests. We hope to expand our collection of Laura Ashley Hotels in conjunction with our Best Western partnership.”

Best Western GB currently represents more than 260 hotels.

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Marriott’s EDITION Hotels due to open three hotels this year

The lifestyle brand, EDITION Hotels, conceived by Ian Schrager will increase its hotels from 10 to 13 by opening three more this year. There are a total of 15 hotels in the pipeline, which are due for completion in the next three years and will double the size of the group:

2020 openings

  • The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon

Due to be completed in the Summer, this will be the first EDITION Hotel in Japan, the Tokyo EDITION Toranomon is part of the redevelopment of the former Pastoral Building. This is a mixed-use project of homes, offices, and a medical centre. The hotel will have 206 guest rooms with views of Tokyo skyline, three restaurants and bars, spa, indoor pool and fitness center

  • The Reykjavik EDITION

This hotel will open towards the end of this year, in the centre of Reykjavik. It will have 250 rooms and suites, a private rooftop, nightlife space and ballroom, three restaurants and a café.

  • The Dubai EDITION

Again, this hotel should open at the end of this year and is located in downtown Dubai, opposite the world-famous Dubai Mall. There will be 210 rooms and suites, seven restaurants, swimming pools, pool deck dining, a spa and fitness centre, events spaces with multiple meeting rooms and a ballroom.

Openings is 2021

  • Ginza, Tokyo
  • Riviera Maya at Kanai
  • Singapore
  • Tamapa
  • Doha

Openings is 2022

  • Milan
  • Madrid

The EDITION brand aims to combine a personal, intimate, individualized and unique experience, with the global reach and using the operational expertise and scale of Marriott. The hotels aim to encompass great design and true innovation with personal, friendly, modern service as well as one-of-a-kind food, beverage and entertainment offerings …“all under one roof”.

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Global warming top travel risk for 2020

The impact of climate change and the potential final year of the Trump administration will be the two most important sources of travel risk in the year ahead, according to travel risk intelligence company Riskline.

The company’s analysts compiled a list of the top 10 travel risks to watch out for in 2020, and climate change topped the board for its potential to cause abnormal weather patterns and natural disasters such as hurricanes, heat waves and floods.

Scientists predict an 80% chance of an El Niño weather pattern occurring in 2020, bringing disastrous heavy rainfall and long droughts to countries around the Pacific Ocean and paving the way for mosquito-borne diseases.

Political, social and economic unrest caused by the US 2020 elections, Brexit and the US-China trade war could also cause travel disruption, according to Riskline’s experts.

Other major travel threats include Islamic terrorism, far-right terrorism, and the outbreak of infectious diseases amid on-going migration and a highly mobile world population.

Riskline also pointed to major sporting events like the Summer Olympics in Japan, the UEFA Euro, the Copa América in Argentina and Colombia and the three cycling Grand Tours as likely to pose risks to travellers in 2020 due to overcrowding, terrorism or potential labour strikes.

Internet blackouts could also cause problems to travellers, as well as civil protests and water shortages in regions such as India and Pakistan, and in Middle Eastern countries such as Iran, Iraq and Lebanon.

Riskline’s Director of Operations, Adam Schrader, says: “All of the predicted risks we’ve shared are equally important, but two of them in particular will underpin the most dangerous security threats in 2020: the ongoing effects of climate change and the potential final year of the Trump administration.

“In the case of the former, it will be the mostly unseen, long-term effects that are the greater danger, as droughts or floods destroy land and livelihoods and become the catalysts for new violent conflicts and forced migration.

“Meanwhile the prospect that 2020 could be the final year of the Trump presidency bodes ill for international peace. Both allies and antagonists of the United States may feel that the level of impunity they have enjoyed in foreign affairs since 2016 may be coming to an end.”

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2020 set for record investment into London hotels

The volume of investment into London hotels could reach record levels in the first quarter of 2020, with approximately £1.5b expected to transact in the capital, according to international real estate advisor Savills.

Rob Stapleton, director at the Savills Hotels team, said: “Investor confidence in the UK hotel market remains high and while political uncertainty in 2019 had an impact on overall deal volumes, yields remained low highlighting that, for the right assets, the UK continues to be a key focus for emerging hotel brands and international capital.

“We have already noted a marked increase in investor enquiries since the General Election result and anticipate this to translate into increased investment activity across the UK hotel market in 2020, with several notable transactions expected to transact in the first half of the year.”

Savills has recorded that UK hotel transactions reached £4.64b in 2019, down 42% year-on-year but 11% above the 10-year average. The number of transactions across the country was also down 47% year-on-year and 6% below the average.

Overseas investors were accountable for 59% of market share, with the top three by country being, Hong Kong (c. £1b), Thailand (c.£450m), and Israel (c.£260m). Portfolio transactions accounted for 52% of investment activity in the UK, similar to 2018’s 53%.

Transactions into London totalled £2.31b, accounting for almost 50% of all UK hotel investment activity. Savills recorded the total volume for the rest of the UK was around £2.33b, representing a 16% (South East), 20% (North), 9% (Scotland) and 6% (South West) regional split.

Key single asset deals in 2019 included: Harrington Hall, sold to London Central Portfolio and ACP off a guide price of £130m; the freehold of the Sofitel London Gatwick which changed hands for a reported £150m; and the Crowne Plaza Kensington, sold to a Singapore consortium led by Heeton Holdings for £83m.

Key portfolio deals included: four Grange hotels sold to Queensgate Investments for £1b; ‘Project Mauve’ (17 InterContinental Hotels Group, Marriott and Hilton hotels were sold to DTP Infinities Corporation for a reported £450m); and Topland’s sale of the Hallmark portfolio for £250m.

Tim Stoyle, head of valuations at the Savills Hotels team, added: “Looking forward to this year we expect to see more stock coming to market across all grades of accommodation but primarily driven by demand for the budget and four-star segments.

“Demand for these assets in London and in core locations across the rest of the UK will be underpinned by the operational performance resulting from the growth of the staycation market, as well as the continued growth in international tourist numbers.”

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NH Hotel Group adds eight properties from Boscolo hotels to their collection

NH Hotel Group has reached an agreement with Covivio, one of the key European real estate players, to operate a portfolio of eight high-end hotels, with prime locations in Rome, Florence, Venice, Nice, Prague and Budapest.

The portfolio includes iconic hotels such as the Palazzo Naiadi in Rome, the Carlo IV in Prague, the Plaza in Nice and the NY Palace in Budapest.

These Boscolo hotels had previously been bought by Covivio. The agreement has an initial duration of 15 years and the transaction is expected to be fully complete by the end of the first half of 2020. However, the hotels in Florence and Nice which are currently being fully refurbished are expected by June 2020 and January 2021 respectively.

This agreement will add 1,115 rooms to NH Hotel Group’s luxury properties. The hotels are centrally located in Rome, Florence, Venice, Nice, Prague and Budapest, six are in the 5-star and two are 4-star categories. The hotels are flagship establishments and they will gradually be rebranded under the Anantara Hotels & Resorts and NH Collection brands.