CBRE is raising its forecasts of hotel performance for 2022 and beyond, based on Q1 2022 strength, continued slowing of construction activity, higher inflation and continued optimism about employment and economic growth. CBRE now expects full recovery in average daily rate in 2022 and in demand and revenue per available room in 2023.
Despite headwinds from the omicron COVID-19 variant, Q1 RevPAR reached $72.20, up 61 percent from year earlier. RevPAR growth was driven by a 39 percent increase in ADR and a 16 percent increase in occupancy.
Trends strengthened over the quarter as omicron concerns faded and spring break drove demand. In Q1, ADR was 5 percent ahead of 2019’s levels, marking the third consecutive quarter in which levels exceed the same period in 2019. These rising rates demonstrate that travelers aren’t price sensitive in many peak-demand markets, according to CBRE.
Since year-end 2021, several factors, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, high gas prices and the 19 percent pullback in the S&P 500 have increased the risk of a potential slowdown. However, for now, CBRE Econometric Advisors continues to forecast positive gross domestic product and employment growth and continued elevated consumer price index through 2023.
“To date, there has been no sign that the more than 50 percent increase in gas prices and the stock market’s hovering near bear-market territory are dampening hotel demand,” said Rachael Rothman, CBRE’s head of hotel research & data analytics. “However, in the past, a steep decline in the S&P 500 and high gas prices have often caused RevPAR growth to decline, which raises the specter of a pullback in RevPAR later this year,” she said. “Despite this possibility, our outlook remains that the market will continue to recover.”
CBRE Hotels Research continues to expect better relative performance in drive-to leisure destinations, particularly among high-end properties where consumers are less price sensitive and the impact of inflation may be less severe. Higher gas prices, food costs and mortgage rates could dissuade budget-minded consumers who frequent interstate hotels from making travel plans.
Inflation continues to bolster top-line growth, but it is also a headwind to margin expansion given rising wages, utilities, food and beverage costs, insurance, and capital expenditure increases, according to CBRE. Historically, luxury hotels have had the greatest pricing power.
Longer term, muted supply growth is poised to bolster top-line growth. High construction-material prices, including lumber, steel and labor, make the development of new projects cost prohibitive. CBRE forecasts that supply will increase at a 1.2 percent compound annual growth rate over the next five years, below the industry’s 1.8 percent long-term historical average.
CBRE Hotels Research’s base case scenario forecasts do not contemplate a larger-scale war, a recession, nor a more acute COVID variant. All clients are encouraged to review the scenario analysis for a more comprehensive view of the range of potential outcomes.