Hotel giants reveal their third-quarter performance, and the recovery signs are promising
It’s been a difficult year so far for hotel companies, to say the least, but the key players are all witnessing green shoots in their recovery from the impacts of COVID-19.
In the third quarter of this year, Marriott International saw its worldwide RevPAR drop 65.9 per cent, compared to the same period in 2019.
However, CEO Arne Sorenson noted this figure was a nearly 19-percentage-point improvement from the decline in the second quarter.
“Greater China continues to lead the recovery and demonstrates the resiliency of travel demand, with third-quarter occupancy of 61 per cent and RevPAR recovering to down 26 per cent – a 35-percentage-point improvement compared to the decline in the second quarter,” he said.
“Third-quarter occupancy at our hotels in North America reached 37 per cent – nearly double occupancy in the second quarter – primarily driven by leisure, drive-to demand, with business and group recovering more slowly.
“Globally, 94 per cent of our hotels are now open and welcoming guests.”
Sorenson said the Asia-Pacific region led Marriott’s deal signings in the third quarter – accounting for more than half of all rooms signed globally – with the vast majority of those rooms in Greater China.
“During the third quarter, we added more than 19,000 rooms to our system – nearly 70 per cent more than were added in the second quarter – achieving five per cent gross rooms growth in the last 12 months,” he said.
Like Marriott, Accor experienced a significant fall in RevPAR during Q3 of 2020. However, the group noted that the 62.8 per cent decline was a “significant sequential improvement” in the wake of a “difficult” second quarter when RevPAR plummeted 88.2 per cent.
“This improvement reflects a recovery in business in all regions, and most especially in Europe during the summer season,” Accor said.
Accor opened 57 hotels (or 7,800 rooms) during Q3, which it described as “encouraging figures”.
By the end of September 2020, 90 per cent of the group’s hotels were open for business.
Hilton’s RevPAR decreased by 59.9 per cent during the third quarter of 2020. However, the three-month period also saw the group approve 17,400 new rooms for development, bringing its development pipeline to 408,000 rooms as of 30 September, representing eight per cent growth from 30 September 2019.
Hilton also opened 17,100 rooms in the third quarter, contributing to 14,800 net additional rooms in the group’s system, and representing 4.7 per cent net unit growth from 30 September 2019.
And, as of 2 November, 97 per cent of Hilton’s system-wide hotels were open.
Hilton boss Christopher Nassetta said the company’s third-quarter results show “meaningful improvement” over the second quarter.
“The vast majority of our properties around the world are now open and have gradually begun to recover from the limitations that the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed on the travel industry, with occupancy increasing more than 20 percentage points from the second quarter,” he said.
“While a full recovery will take time, we are well-positioned to capture rising demand and execute on growth opportunities.”
RevPAR for InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) declined by 53 per cent in Q3, compared to a 75 per cent decline in the prior quarter; while occupancy was at 44 per cent, up from 25 per cent in Q2.
IHG managed to open 11,000 rooms (82 hotels) during the third quarter and signed a further 14,000 rooms (82 hotels). Only three per cent of the group’s hotels (199 properties) remained closed as of 30 September.
“Domestic mainstream travel remains the most resilient, and our industry-leading Holiday Inn brand family positions us well to meet that demand as it slowly returns,” IHG chief executive Keith Barr said.
As for Hyatt, overall RevPAR decreased by 72 per cent in Q3, but also marked a continued recovery across all regions, more than doubling sequentially off the low in the second quarter of 2020.
Hyatt also doubled the number of room nights sold compared to the second quarter of 2020.
“I am exceptionally proud of our hotel teams who gained transient demand market share in the segments and geographies of strongest demand globally as they continue to discover and secure demand from many different sources,” president and CEO Mark Hoplamazian said.
“I am also very encouraged that we opened 27 new hotels representing over 4,300 new rooms – a record number of hotel openings for any third quarter in our history – while sustaining our pipeline for future growth during this disrupted time.”
As of 30 September, 92 per cent of Hyatt’s hotels (88 per cent of rooms) were open, compared to 80 per cent of hotels (74 per cent of rooms) at 30 June.
Featured image source: iStock/kadmy
Latest News
Booking.com launches AI Trip Planner in Australia and New Zealand
Booking.com has announced its AI Trip Planner (Beta) is now available for travellers in Australia and New Zealand, the first markets to launch in Asia Pacific. Until now, AI Trip Planner was only available for US and UK travellers after it was launched in the Booking.com app in June last year. Built using Booking.com’s existing […]
Voyages celebrates 40 years at Uluru with two new immersive experiences
No plans for celebrating your 40th this year? Here's a hot tip from us.
SkyDeck: The inflight entertainment you could never have imagined
Forget those external cameras you can live stream while in the air... With SkyDeck you can check it out for yourself.
Second Boeing whistleblower dies of ‘mystery infection’
Joshua Dean died from a fast-growing mystery infection on Tuesday.
Aussie winners of American Airlines ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ announced
Show me the money! For the winners, Sell Your Way to the USA was worth getting involved in.
ANZCRO celebrates 30th with special edition of iconic New Zealand Book
Choice bro! ANZCRO celebrates its 30th with a special edition of its iconic New Zealand Book. Chur!
Room to move at Cairns Harbourside Hotel with ‘spacious’ new family package
Moody teens can eat two-minute noodles while younger brothers and sisters get to eat free with mum and dad. Win, win!
A&K unveils lavish around the world wildlife adventure in private jet
The kind of holiday that if you need to ask the cost, you probably can't afford it.
Flight Centre and Reforest hit one million trees target early
Nice one Flight Centre, we think you've earned an early Friday knockoff.
New cruise options spearhead stacked APT 2025 program
Just in case you thought you were running out of cruise itineraries, APT's here with a fresh batch.
Travel Weekly announces a new team to helm Australia’s No.1 travel trade title
Some shameless self-promotion from us, but we thought you needed to know who's bringing you the news.
IHG reveals plans for Brisbane’s first Kimpton in 2028
Just another reason to book that trip to Brisvegas. But don't jump the gun, it's not open until 2028.
Cruiseabout’s first store in five years opens in Perth
Perth gets a break from being behind the rest of the country with the addition of the first Cruiseabout store.
ATAS complaints process acknowledges non-economic loss
A High Court case win over 'disappointment and distress' on a cruise gone wrong prompts ATIA complaints change.
Cunard previews new Queen Anne
Yep, this one does exactly what it says on the tin.
Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland
Just as the Icelandic vikings did many years ago, Bunnik is expanding into new territories.
Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25
25th anniversary gifts usually come in silver. Ours comes in the way of a news story.
Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun
If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]
Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs
Turnbull hints her new role will see her staying in the tourism and hospitality industry and who can blame her?
DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign
If agents can put the foot down quick enough and get involved, there are some great prizes to be won.
Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern
Unlike those dodgy scam phone calls you're getting more and more of, there's no strings attached to this deal.
Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips
Can you call it a sober holiday if you enjoy a few glasses of red on the flight? We think yes.
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
As the industry reels from Bonza's implosion, it is more important than ever to ask the big questions.
TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips
The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]
Skroo says Rex will need deep pockets to fill lost Bonza slots
The door is open for Rex, and anyone else who wants to launch a regional Aussie airline...
Sno’n’Ski Holidays unveils 2025 mega famil to Colorado!
Let the games begin - this is certainly not a famil that you will want to miss!
Walk Japan launches Kyoto: Mountains to the sea walking tour
There are two types of people, one who enjoys walking on holiday and another who enjoys sipping Mojitos by the pool.
Which destination had a 48% boost in bookings following 10 MILLION TikTok views?
Here's a clue: it's not Malabar Beach.
Asher Telford appointed General Manager of SeaLink Whitsundays
Telford has plenty of reasons to smile after SeaLink doubles down and makes him GM after buying his tourism operation.
Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak
Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]
Hilton Expands Presence in North Queensland with the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Townsville
Heading to a North Queensland Cowboys clash? Hilton Garden Inn Townsville is set to open, but not until 2026.
Rail Europe ANZ: making dream journeys come true
Rail Europe's running a lottery! You're not going to win millions, but you might just snag a free holiday.
UPDATE: Bonza hole deepens as administrators investigate financial affairs
Administrators dig deeper as struggling airline unlikely to be revived.
Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa
Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]
Nielsen Data reveals brands spending big to attract Aussie tourists
Trip A Deal, Virgin and Ignite Travel walk into a bar, blow their cash on travel advertising instead of the pokies.
Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]