4 days ago
U.S. Sees Year-Over-Year Visitor Increase
Overseas visitor volume to the U.S. in April was up modestly year-over-year. Plus, LVMH sells its only U.S. hotel, and a lot of other hotel development news.
The DJIA fell 166 points, but the Nasdaq was up 6, the S&P 500 fell 4 points, and the 10-year treasury yield was up .02 to 4.42%. Lodging stocks were mixed. HGV traded up to a new 52-week high, AHT surged 10% but SOHO was down another -6% and now that it is back below $1, we won't be reporting on its day-to-day swings.
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Data recently released by the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office shows that in April 2025, the total non-U.S. resident international visitor volume to the United States was 5,957,985, an increase of 1.3% compared to April 2024. Overseas visitor volume to the U.S. was 3,047,094, an increase of 8% from April 2024. The largest number of international visitor arrivals was from Mexico (1,494,051), Canada (1,416,840), the United Kingdom (403,974), Germany (193,226), and France (182,700). The top 5 overseas tourism arrivals for April were the UK (356,958), Germany (169,705), France (166,591), Brazil (136,433), and India (130,964). The top 5 overseas business arrivals for April were the UK (45,753), India (39,400), Japan (23,490), Germany (22,866), and South Korea (17,283). The top 5 overseas student arrivals for April were China (7,613), India (6,171), South Korea (1,976), Brazil (1,501), and the UK (1,263). The total of 8,564,586 U.S. citizen international visitor departures from the U.S. increased 5.9% compared to April 2024. The year-to-date market share for North America (Mexico & Canada) was 50.5% and overseas was 49.5%. Mexico recorded the largest outbound visitor volume of 3,322,925 (38.8% of total departures for April). Canada recorded a year-over-year decrease of 11.1%. Combined, YTD, Mexico (13,763,175) and the Caribbean (4,033,703) accounted for 54.4% of total U.S. citizen international visitor departures. Europe was the second largest market for outbound U.S. visitors with 1,744,890 departures. This accounted for 20.4% of all departures in April. Outbound visitation to Europe in April 2025 increased 5.2% compared to April 2024.
Stonebridge announced the addition of the 244-room Marriott Saddle Brook in New Jersey to its growing full-service managed portfolio. Owned by Victory Worldwide LLC, the Marriott Saddle Brook recently completed a multi-million-dollar renovation throughout the property.
Braemar Hotels & Resorts Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to sell the 369-room Marriott Seattle Waterfront in Seattle, Washington, for $145 million. The transaction is expected to close in August 2025, subject to customary conditions.
Milan Hotel Group announced the opening of the 127-room AC Hotel by Marriott in Asheville, North Carolina.
Crestline Hotels & Resorts LLC has been selected by Vision Realty Group in partnership with Ashley Builders Group to manage the historic Well House Hamilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton.
Hilton debuted the first hotel of its new extended-stay brand, LivSmart Studios by Hilton. LivSmart Studios by Hilton Tullahoma, an 89-room property in Middle Tennessee, will soon be joined by the brand's second hotel in Kokomo, Indiana. The new hotel, developed in partnership with 3H Group, Inc. and Aztec Group, LLC, is owned by Sun Management & Development Corporation. For more context, see Skift's Hilton Opens First Hotel Under New Brand for Traveling Workers.
The town of Leland, North Carolina, has received a development site plan for a new Hampton Inn. The Hampton Inn was initially announced in a news release by Crown Hotel & Travel Management.
A $22 million transformation project has re-imagined the Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara, located in Carlsbad, California.
New Birmingham, Alabama, boutique hotel, The Painted Lady, is the latest to join Lark's portfolio of independent hotels under management. The Painted Lady is owned by Addicus Advisors.
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE is selling its only U.S. hotel, the El Encanto in Santa Barbara, California. The 90-room property is being purchased by a partnership of brothers Justin and Tyler Mateen and Culver Capital.
The Appellation Healdsburg, the first ground-up build from culinary-first hotel brand Appellation, is now accepting bookings for September and beyond. Located in Healdsburg, California.
The newly renovated Oceaneer Hotel has opened in Carolina Beach, North Carolina. Developed and owned by an LLC run by Sailfish Real Estate Capital and managed by Access Hotels & Resorts, the Oceaneer Hotel occupies the building formerly known as the Oceaneer Motel.
Hunter Hotel Advisors announced the sale of the 139-key Hampton Inn & Suites El Paso-Airport. Nexgen Management purchased the property.
Personnel News
HHM Hotels announced a restructuring of its leadership team.
Caliber announced Greg James has been promoted to the company's Chief Operating Officer. James joined Caliber in October 2024 as COO & Head of Hotel Asset Management and replaces Ignacio Martinez. Prior to Caliber, Mr. James spent nearly two decades at Summit Hotel Properties.
Europe Highlights
Hilton and GDF Hotel announced the opening of Hilton Turin Centre, located in Turin, Italy.
Miiro Hotels continues to roll out new hotels across Europe. Two properties debuted in Paris and Barcelona last year, with London opening earlier this year. The fast trajectory of the Indian-based company has been helped by picking up an existing hospitality brand, K+K Hotels. Miiro opened its first Swiss hotel in Gstaad, The Mansard, and has a new property called Templeton Garden in London. Currently, there are four properties in the portfolio, with two more in Vienna on the way by next year. Potential destinations for new hotels include Florence, Madrid, Milan, Hamburg, and Budapest.
Scandic Hotels announced the opening of a new hotel in Hamburg, Germany. The hotel operator entered into a long-term lease agreement with the landlords JV PEG and eiss+Co.
citizenM has opened its first property in Ireland. citizenM Dublin St. Patrick's features 245 guestrooms, canteenM, a terrace, and societyM meeting rooms.
