Global Tourism Rises 5% Year-Over-Year
Over 300 million tourists traveled internationally in the first three months of 2025, a 5% rise from last year and 3% more than in pre-pandemic year 2019.
The DJIA fell 245 points, the Nasdaq was down 98, the S&P 500 fell 33 points and the 10-year treasury yield was up .04 to 4.48%. Lodging stocks were lower. The mover of note was BHR, down -7%.
TPG Hotels & Resorts has been selected by Verge Management LLC to manage a portfolio of five Marriott-branded select service hotels in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas. TPG Hotels & Resorts will oversee all aspects of hotel operations, providing hands-on leadership and leveraging its national platform to enhance performance, efficiency, and guest satisfaction.
The Ava Hotels, Curio Collection by Hilton, is now accepting reservations for stays beginning September 22, 2025, with the likelihood of an earlier opening in the summer as the hotel nears completion. Located in Paso Robles, California, the four-story, 151-room property features multiple dining venues, including Paso's first and only rooftop bar, a rooftop pool, ground-level retail storefronts, and over 3,000 square feet of event space.
Meyer Jabara Hotels has established its presence in Tampa, Florida, by assuming management of the Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Northwest/Oldsmar. The 87-room property features an outdoor pool, fitness center, multiple dining outlets, conference space, a meeting room, and a business center. The recently renovated hotel is owned by Rogatien Krecek.
The Ambassador Hotel of Waikiki, Tapestry Collection by Hilton on the island of O'ahu, has officially joined Hilton as the first Tapestry Collection property in Hawaii. The newly renovated Ambassador Hotel of Waikiki is operated by Highgate and features 368 guestrooms, Waikiki Swim & Social Club, and indoor/outdoor dining.
The construction phase of a long-awaited hotel in McMaster Innovation Park, Hamilton, Ontario, will begin this summer. Sigma Group and Kothari Group will develop the dual-branded property — Hyatt Place and Hyatt House. Housed in one building, Hyatt Place will feature 78 traditional rooms, while Hyatt House will have 84 suite-style rooms. Amenities include a gym, an indoor saltwater pool, a business center, laundry, multiple dining venues, and meeting spaces.
IHG Hotels & Resorts celebrated the opening of a newly converted Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Hawthorne, New York. The hotel offers 91 rooms, 884 square feet of meeting space, a pool, and a fitness center. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Hawthorne - Elmsford North operates under the ownership of Broadway Hawthorne, LLC.
Noble Investment Group announced the acquisition of sixteen WoodSpring Suites long-term extended-stay properties through two portfolio transactions.
Hotel Willa, the latest addition to Casetta's growing constellation of boutique stays, and the brand's first foray into the American Southwest, is open in Taos, New Mexico. Located in Downtown Taos Historic District, the 50-room retreat re-imagines a 1960's adobe-style motor lodge and features a dining concept, a gallery-style lobby, a pool deck, a retail destination, a gallery, and multiple event spaces.
Hotel Terra Jackson Hotel, located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, has completed the first phase of its extensive, multi-million dollar renovation and is now embarking on phase two, with the third and final phase set to be completed before the end of the year. In the first phase of the renovation, extensive upgrades were made to the hotel's guestrooms. Phases two and three will bring even more significant enhancements to the guestrooms and suites and the hotel's corridors.
A self-described 'pop-up hotel' company has chosen Reno as its first location in Nevada as it embarks on a nationwide expansion of its services. Placemakr is offering 66 apartment-style suites in downtown Reno for booking. According to the company, a pop-up hotel is a temporary accommodation option where guests can book an apartment unit in a building for a short-term stay. The hospitality units will wind down in the building as it leases up with long-term residents. Amenities include a heated pool, fitness center, rooftop lounge, club room, and a pet spa. So far in 2025, Placemakr has launched its services in five new properties nationwide, including the cities of Salt Lake City, Santa Clara, San Antonio, and Pittsburgh.
PMZ Realty Capital LLC has secured a $5.3 million loan for the Hampton Inn Marysville, located in Marysville, Ohio. The loan was placed through a debt fund and features interest-only payments for the full five-year term. The loan proceeds provided capital for the new ownership to acquire the property and to implement a change-of-ownership property improvement plan. The 83-room Hampton Inn Marysville features a fitness center, an indoor pool with a whirlpool, and two meeting rooms.
Personnel News
CBRE announced the appointment of Susie Park as an Executive Vice President for CBRE Hotels, where she will lead asset management engagements in the Americas, focusing on branded and independent luxury/lifestyle assets. Prior to joining CBRE, Park served as Co-lead of JLL's Hotel Asset Management division in the Americas.
Vail Resorts said former longtime leader Rob Katz would return to the Chief Executive role, effective immediately, after a tough winter season for the ski resort company. As part of the leadership shake-up, CEO Kristen Lynch is stepping down after more than three years in the top job and will stay on for several months as an advisor.
Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation announced the appointment of Christian Alejandro Asmar to its Board of Directors. Mr. Asmar is the co-founder and managing Partner of Impactive Capital, which owns approximately 9.5% of the outstanding shares of MVW. Following Mr. Asmar's appointment, MVW's board will consist of 12 directors, 11 of whom are independent. Also, the company plans to establish two new ad hoc board committees. One of these committees is expected to focus on advising the Board on the company's modernization efforts aimed at revenue growth and cost efficiencies, of which Mr. Asmar will be a member, and a second committee is expected to advise the Board on the company's technology innovation strategy.
Preferred Travel Group announced the appointment of Philipp Weghmann as Chief Development Officer. In this newly created executive position, Weghmann will lead company-wide development initiatives to accelerate strategic growth and innovation. He will also serve as President of Beyond Green, reflecting Preferred's deepened commitment to expanding the brand's presence and impact around the world. Most recently, Weghmann served as Vice President and Global Brand Leader for The Luxury Collection at Marriott International.
Global Highlights
According to the May 2025 World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism, over 300 million tourists traveled internationally in the first three months of 2025, a 5% rise from last year and 3% more than in pre-pandemic year 2019. The World Tourism Barometer breaks down the data for the first quarter of 2025 by region and sub-region. Key highlights show: Europe welcomed 125 million international tourists in the first three months of the year, up 2% from Q1 2024, and 5% more than the same period before the pandemic. In Southern Mediterranean Europe, arrivals increased by 2%. Central and Eastern Europe rebounded strongly (+8% over 2024), especially Baltic destinations, though visitor numbers in the sub-region remain below 2019 levels. Africa recorded 9% growth in arrivals in Q1 2025, compared to 2024, exceeding pre-pandemic traveler numbers by 16%. The Americas saw 2% more international arrivals, with several destinations in South America (+13%) enjoying strong results during the Southern Hemisphere summer season. The Middle Eastrecorded 1% growth compared to 2024. However, arrivals stood 44% above pre-pandemic levels this first quarter of the year. Arrivals in Asia and the Pacific grew 12%, reaching 92% of pre-pandemic numbers. North-East Asia saw the strongest performance among world sub-regions with a 23% rebound in Q1 2024 to reach 91% of 2019 levels.
Europe Highlights
IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the new Kimpton Atlantico Algarve opened in Portugal, the brand's first resort in the country. Perched on the sands of Sao Rafael Beach, Kimpton Atlantico Algarve features 149 rooms and suites, multiple dining venues, and a wellness sanctuary with a heated indoor pool, a hydro active spa circuit with a flotation tank, Jacuzzi, sauna, Turkish baths, and a gym.
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