Hotel Owner April 2019 | Page 6

MONTH IN REVIEW MONTH IN REVIEW www.hotelowner.co.uk START: THE MONTH’S NEWS BEGAN HERE HOTELS European hotel transaction levels down in 2018 European hotel transaction volumes reached €18.6bn (£15.9bn) in 2018, a decrease of 14% on the previous year, but still the fifth highest level recorded, according to the annual ‘European Hotel Transactions’ report by HVS. A total of 655 properties, averaging 156 rooms, changed hands in 2018 with the average price per key growing by 8% in 2018, reflecting the quality of the hotels that were sold, as well as a growth in values. The year saw single asset transaction volumes fall 23% on 2017 levels to a new value of €9.5bn (£8.1), representing 51% of the total transaction volume. Sales included 271 individual hotels amounting to over 45,000 rooms. Portfolio activity decreased on the previous year by just 3% to €9bn (£7.7bn), 49% of the total volume, with 58 transactions comprising over 380 hotels and over 56,000 rooms. Reduced activity from Asian and European buyers was the main reason for the decrease, with high net worth individuals in particular, decreasing their investment in hotels in 2018 to €116m (£99m), compared with €554m (£476m) in 2017. However, the group said the UK confirmed its “leading role” within Europe, reaching transaction volumes of €6.2bn (£5.3bn) in 2018, up 14% on the previous year’s €5.5bn (£4.7bn). Nicolas Auer, analyst with HVS Hodges Ward Elliott, said: “The European hotel investment market continues to show rising popularity as an alternative asset class due to its strong yields. While 2018 may have seen an overall decrease in transactions it was compared to an exceptional 2017.” 6 www.hotelowner.co.uk ACCOLADES Marriott recognised in Times’ Best Companies 2019 Marriott International has been recognised in the Sunday Times’ ‘25 Best Big Companies to Work For’ list, achieving 6th place. The hotel brand was recognised for its ethos of taking care of its associates as well as for the company’s continued efforts to recognise and reward their achievements, with associates feeling they make a “valuable contribution” to the company’s success. The listing also highlighted the range of training experiences offered by Marriott International, with associates valuing the variety of learning and development opportunities for both personal and professional growth. Francisca Martinez, chief HR officer at Marriott International Europe, said: “It is a great honour for Marriott International to have been placed 6th in this year’s Sunday Times ‘Best Companies to Work For’ awards. “This is the 12th time that The Sunday Times has recognised Marriott International and is a true testament to our timeless commitment of putting people first.” The European hotel investment market continues to show rising popularity as an alternative asset class due to its strong yields Nicolas Auer, analyst, HVS Hodges Ward Elliott 1 2 3 4 5 STAT OF THE MONTH 100 That’s how many hotels Travelodge is planning to open in the next five years after seeing its turnaround plan lead to an 8.8% rise in revenues HOTEL BRANDS Accor launches new midscale brand Tribe AccorHotels has launched its new lifestyle brand Tribe, set in the midscale segment. The brand currently consists of one 126-bedrooms hotel near the botanic garden at Kings Park, Perth, Australia, and 10 other openings are already scheduled to take place by 2022 in Europe and Asia Pacific - totaling more than 1,700 rooms. Properties will be centered around a “welcoming lobby” area, with rooms that offer guests the “utmost comfort and latest technologies”. Accor said the brand has also been designed to appeal to owners and investors, with a product that “guarantees superior financial returns thanks to improved customer perception based on economical spaces and services”. Gaurav Bhushan, chief development officer at Accor, said: “The pipeline of over 50 hotels currently being negotiated for the coming years leads us to believe that the Tribe brand will achieve significant growth all over the world including in gateway locations such as Paris, London, Singapore, Dubai Bangkok. It will be making its debut in 150 international destinations by 2030.” April 2019