Africa’s tourism is surging past pre-pandemic levels, with strong growth and rising investor interest. Yet risks of overtourism, seen in Europe, are emerging in hotspots like Serengeti, Cape Town, and Botswana. A sustainable path requires balancing people, planet, and profit to safeguard heritage, communities, and long-term economic gains.
Today’s travelers are prioritizing their health and wellbeing more than ever before, triggering the rapid development worldwide of dedicated resorts and driving mainstream hotels to expand their facilities. Hala Matar Choufany, president of HVS Middle East Africa, drills down into the numbers and explains why health-related resorts offer significant potential for regional developers.
Choosing the right hotel operating model (franchise, management agreement, or third-party operator) depends on owner goals, market conditions, and property characteristics. Franchises offer brand support but require strict standards. Management agreements, common in the Middle East, balance risk and reward. Third-party operators provide flexibility and cost efficiency. Owners must evaluate options to maximize returns as market dynamics shift.
The Montréal hotel market has made a strong comeback from the pandemic, experiencing a 4.6% rise in room supply, in contrast to the declines in Downtown Toronto and Vancouver. This expansion, combined with a rebound in air travel, extensive hotel renovations, and effective tourism promotion, has positioned Montréal as the most resilient market. With substantial investments and a thriving meetings and events sector, the city’s hotel industry is undergoing a significant evolution.
Our views around the world reflect early optimism for 2025, with the anticipation of stronger transaction activity and modestly improving hotel metrics in most regions.
The Middle East's luxury hotel market is expanding, fueled by economic diversification and a growing population of high-net-worth individuals. Key destinations like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are experiencing significant development in luxury accommodations. However, potential oversupply in major cities could affect room rates and occupancy. The outlook remains positive, supported by continued investment in unique, high-end experiences.
The GCC region presents significant opportunities for hotel investment, driven by rapid supply growth and evolving market trends. However, challenges such as valuation mismatches, rising costs, and operational inefficiencies highlight the need for strategic approaches. Key considerations include aligning development costs with market realities, adopting modern valuation metrics, and leveraging diversified revenue streams to enhance profitability and sustain long-term growth.
The 2024 edition of the Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit (CHICOS) brought over 300 attendees to the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle All Inclusive Resort for several days of networking and industry insights from key stakeholders in the region. This article provides the major takeaways from this year’s conference.
Hala Matar Choufany shares her insights on Bloomberg Alsharq with Maya Hojeij, discussing key drivers behind the region's impressive visitation growth and tourism expansion.
In this interview, Hala Matar Choufany discusses with Hospitality News Middle East and Rita Ghantous the new service lines offered by HVS Middle East & Africa, along with insights into the market outlook, emerging trends, and regional sentiment impacting the hospitality industry.