Summary of Hotel Industry Conference Call Industry Overview - The hotel industry is experiencing a shift towards improved ecosystem regulation, particularly with the removal of "choose one" clauses, which may restore pricing autonomy to hotels and enhance profitability through better inventory management and rental rates [1][2] Key Points Pricing and Distribution - The return of pricing power to hotels is expected to benefit chain hotels significantly, allowing them to strengthen direct sales channels and reduce reliance on Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) [1][2] - Chain hotels like Huazhu and Jinjiang have a high proportion of direct sales, with Huazhu's direct sales at approximately 65% and Jinjiang at about 30% [1][4] - Independent hotels, which heavily depend on OTAs, will benefit from unified pricing across platforms, potentially lowering commission costs and improving profitability [1][4] Market Dynamics - JD.com's entry into the hotel and travel market has been unsuccessful due to inadequate preparation, lack of domestic inventory support, and insufficient supply chain capabilities [5][6] - The hotel investment sentiment is becoming more cautious, with a decrease in new property acquisitions and a focus on evaluating investment returns amid rising labor costs [3][16] Regulatory Impact - The investigation by the State Administration for Market Regulation into unfair competition practices among online platforms is expected to optimize the online platform structure, potentially allowing hotels to regain pricing power and reduce commission rates from 15% to 10% or 12% [2][9] Supply and Demand Trends - The supply growth rate in the chain hotel market is expected to slow down in 2026, with fewer new properties being signed and a focus on rebranding existing hotels [12] - Business travel demand is anticipated to remain stable, with slight increases in costs for corporate housing agreements [13] - The influx of inbound tourists is projected to rise due to visa-free policies, positively impacting domestic hotel demand [14] Performance Metrics - The average occupancy rates vary significantly among brands, with Huazhu at around 82% and Atour at approximately 70%, while many independent hotels struggle with rates as low as 45% [17] Future Outlook - The hotel industry is cautiously optimistic for the first half of 2026, with expectations of slight growth for major brands like Huazhu and Jinjiang, driven by seasonal demand and increased holiday durations [10][11] Additional Insights - The fair distribution of platform traffic is likely to favor chain hotels by eliminating paid promotion rankings, thus enhancing their visibility and conversion rates [7][8] - The overall sentiment in the industry is positive regarding the recent regulatory changes, which are seen as beneficial for both operators and consumers [9]

Core Viewpoint - The photography competition organized by Huazhu's high-end hotel brand awarded first place to an AI-generated image, raising concerns about originality and adherence to competition rules [1][9]. Group 1: Competition Details - The winning entry, titled "Riding Old Light," was identified as an AI-generated image after scrutiny revealed inconsistencies in the text on signs within the image [2][4]. - The competition, named "Art MaxX·City Memory Photography Competition," was promoted by Huazhu's Shanghai Oriental Meilun Meihuan Hotel and the official WeChat account of Huazhu's family [4][6]. - The judging panel consisted of five professional judges, including members from the China Photographers Association and the Shanghai Artists Association [6]. Group 2: Contest Results and Reactions - The results were publicly announced between January 6 and January 10, with the final results being published on January 10, after which the original announcement was deleted [6]. - Following internal reviews, Huazhu's customer service confirmed that the first-place award was revoked due to the entry not meeting originality criteria, as AI-generated works were explicitly prohibited [9]. - Legal experts noted that the submission of AI-generated works constituted a breach of competition rules, allowing the organizers to revoke the award and potentially seek damages [9].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the industry, indicating a positive outlook for the sector's performance in the coming months [5]. Core Insights - The report highlights the encouragement of travel and cultural consumption through policies aimed at enhancing employee leisure activities, which is expected to boost the travel and cultural sectors significantly [2][4]. - The introduction of additional public holidays and policies supporting paid leave is anticipated to stimulate cultural and tourism consumption, particularly during traditionally low seasons [4]. - Data from travel platforms indicates a substantial increase in ticket bookings during recent holiday periods, showcasing a growing consumer interest in travel and leisure activities [3]. Summary by Sections Policy Initiatives - The report discusses the issuance of guidelines by various government bodies to promote employee cultural and sports activities, allowing for up to four organized trips per year and the distribution of cultural consumption vouchers [1][2]. Market Trends - Significant growth in ticket bookings was observed during the autumn and snow holidays, with some regions reporting increases of over 300% in ticket reservations compared to previous years [3]. - The report notes that the policy-driven encouragement of travel is likely to transform traditionally slow tourism periods into more active seasons, benefiting sectors such as duty-free, hotels, and sports events [4]. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on sectors with potential for growth, particularly in Hainan and during the upcoming Spring Festival, as well as sectors benefiting from new consumer trends and favorable policies [5][8]. - Specific companies are recommended for investment, including those in the duty-free, hotel, and new retail sectors, which are expected to perform well in the current market environment [8].

Core Viewpoint - The brain-computer interface (BCI) concept continues to gain traction, with multiple listed companies responding positively to the trend, leading to significant stock price increases in the sector [2][3]. Group 1: Stock Performance - On January 6, several companies in the BCI sector, including Weisi Medical, Sanbo Brain Science, and Aipeng Medical, saw their stocks hit the daily limit, with many achieving consecutive gains [3]. - Weisi Medical's stock rose by 20.01% to 69.70, while Sanbo Brain Science also increased by 20.01% to 84.94, indicating strong market interest [4][5]. Group 2: Company Developments - Weisi Medical is expanding its technology layout in the neuro-rehabilitation field from a single device to a comprehensive solution covering diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation [4]. - Sanbo Brain Science has established a BCI laboratory and is developing a product system that includes various applications in clinical diagnosis and neuro-rehabilitation [4]. - Aipeng Medical emphasizes the role of BCI as a bridge between the brain and external devices, highlighting its potential applications [5]. Group 3: Market Trends and Projections - The rehabilitation medical device sector is a key focus area, with companies like Xiangyu Medical aiming to enter over 1,000 top-tier hospitals in China, indicating a robust commercialization strategy [11]. - The global BCI market is projected to reach approximately $12.4 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 17% from 2025 to 2034, reflecting significant growth potential [17]. Group 4: Collaborations and Innovations - Companies are exploring collaborations to integrate BCI technology with robotics, as seen in the partnership between Yijia and Maillande to develop brain-controlled robots [13]. - Blue Si Technology has become a strategic investor in Qiangnao Technology, indicating strong interest in the BCI hardware sector [14]. - Qiangnao Technology recently completed a financing round of approximately 2 billion, making it the second-largest financing in the BCI field after Neuralink [15].

Group 1: Market Performance - The U.S. stock market saw all three major indices rise, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average reaching a new historical high, approaching the 50,000 mark, closing at 49,462.08 points, up 0.99% [3] - The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index increased by 2.75%, setting a new historical high, with notable gains in chip stocks such as Microchip Technology up over 11%, Micron Technology up over 10%, and NXP Semiconductors up over 9% [5][6] Group 2: Federal Reserve Insights - Federal Reserve Governor Milan stated that the Fed should lower interest rates by more than 100 basis points this year, as economic data trends may support further rate cuts [5] - Milan noted that core inflation has returned to around the Fed's 2% target, and he expects strong economic growth in the U.S. this year [5] Group 3: Commodity Prices - Silver prices surged again, with COMEX silver futures breaking the $80 per ounce mark, reflecting a rise of approximately 6% [8] - Gold prices also saw a slight increase, with COMEX gold futures surpassing $4,500 per ounce, up over 1% [8]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" outlook for the social services industry [4] Core Insights - The Ministry of Culture and Tourism data aligns with expectations, highlighting strong performance in duty-free shopping, inbound tourism, and leading mountain scenic spots. The upcoming long Spring Festival holiday and supportive tourism policies are expected to boost domestic consumption, leading to a favorable outlook for the social services industry in 2026 [3][7] Summary by Sections Domestic Tourism Demand - Domestic travel demand is steadily increasing, with 142 million domestic trips taken during the New Year holiday, a 5.2% increase compared to 2024. Total domestic travel expenditure reached 84.79 billion yuan, up 6.3% year-on-year, with per capita spending increasing by 1.1% [7] Duty-Free Shopping - Duty-free sales in Hainan during the New Year holiday showed significant growth, with 442,000 items sold, a 52.4% increase year-on-year. The number of shoppers reached 83,500, up 60.6%, and total spending was 712 million yuan, a 128.9% increase. This growth is attributed to the official launch of duty-free operations, new policies, and promotional activities [7] Scenic Spots - Leading mountain scenic spots demonstrated strong visitor elasticity, with Huangshan receiving over 75,000 visitors (up 76.5% year-on-year), Emei Mountain hosting 126,200 visitors (up 20.9%), and Changbai Mountain seeing a 41% increase in visitors compared to 2025. The expansion of high-speed rail and airports contributed to this growth [7] Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) - Inbound tourism and winter sports are emerging as key growth drivers, with a 110% year-on-year increase in inbound ticket bookings and a more than 30-fold increase in experiential product bookings. Domestic winter sports continue to be a central theme for growth in 2026 [7]

Core Viewpoint - The Hong Kong tourism sector stocks experienced a collective rise, indicating positive market sentiment towards the industry [1] Group 1: Stock Performance - Tongcheng Travel (00780.HK) increased by 5.02%, reaching HKD 23.86 [1] - Trip.com Group (09961.HK) rose by 4.08%, trading at HKD 600 [1] - Huazhu Group (01179.HK) saw a gain of 4.01%, priced at HKD 38.36 [1] - Meituan-W (03690.HK) grew by 1.42%, with a share price of HKD 106.9 [1]

智通财经APP获悉，旅游概念股集体走高，截至发稿，同程旅行(00780)涨5.02%，报23.86港元；携程集 团-S(09961)涨4.08%，报600港元；华住集团-S(01179)涨4.01%，报38.36港元；美团-W(03690)涨 1.42%，报106.9港元。 国家移民管理局报告显示，元旦假期期间日均出入境人次达220万人次，按年增长28.6%，较2019年水 平高约28%，其中内地居民出境人次按年增长39.1%。花旗发布研报称，2026年元旦国内出游表现平 稳，但跨境旅游人次表现稳健。然而该行认为即将到来的春节更为重要，并预期表现将较为强劲，因为 2026年春节假期为9天，较2025年多一天。 消息面上，经文化和旅游部数据中心测算，元旦假期3天，全国国内出游1.42亿人次、较2024年元旦假 期增长5.2%，国内出游总花费847.89亿元、较2024年元旦假期增长6.3%，人均消费较2024年元旦假期增 长1.1%，冬季特色供给丰富，冰雪游、避寒游、跨年游人气旺盛。 ...

旅游概念股集体走高，截至发稿，同程旅行(00780)涨5.02%，报23.86港元；携程集团-S(09961)涨 4.08%，报600港元；华住集团-S(01179)涨4.01%，报38.36港元；美团-W(03690)涨1.42%，报106.9港 元。 国家移民管理局报告显示，元旦假期期间日均出入境人次达220万人次，按年增长28.6%，较2019年水 平高约28%，其中内地居民出境人次按年增长39.1%。花旗发布研报称，2026年元旦国内出游表现平 稳，但跨境旅游人次表现稳健。然而该行认为即将到来的春节更为重要，并预期表现将较为强劲，因为 2026年春节假期为9天，较2025年多一天。 消息面上，经文化和旅游部数据中心测算，元旦假期3天，全国国内出游1.42亿人次、较2024年元旦假 期增长5.2%，国内出游总花费847.89亿元、较2024年元旦假期增长6.3%，人均消费较2024年元旦假期增 长1.1%，冬季特色供给丰富，冰雪游、避寒游、跨年游人气旺盛。 ...

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is maintained as "Add" [5] Core Insights - The consumption market shows strong growth during the New Year holiday, with significant increases in travel and spending among younger demographics [1][2][4] - The cross-year travel and ice-snow tourism are gaining popularity, with notable increases in ticket bookings and hotel reservations [2] - Hainan's duty-free sales doubled in the first two days of the New Year holiday, indicating robust consumer interest [3] - Various cities reported double-digit sales growth during the holiday, reflecting a vibrant consumption environment [4][7] Summary by Sections Travel Trends - High travel enthusiasm was noted during the New Year holiday, with a significant increase in ticket bookings and hotel reservations, particularly among younger travelers [1][2] - The search volume for "cross-year travel" increased by 125% year-on-year, with theme parks and concerts being major attractions [2] Duty-Free Sales - Hainan's duty-free sales reached 30.7 million items, with a 121.5% year-on-year increase in sales amounting to 5.05 billion yuan [3] - The sales in Sanya alone saw a remarkable increase, with sales amounting to 1.63 billion yuan on January 1, marking an 83.2% increase [3] Consumption Growth - Beijing's sales during the holiday reached 4.04 billion yuan, with a 16.3% year-on-year increase [4] - Shanghai reported an average daily consumption of 12.2 billion yuan, with online sales growing by 5.5% year-on-year [4] - Other cities like Qingdao and Nanjing also reported positive sales growth, indicating a broad recovery in consumer spending [4][7] Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on Hainan and sectors with performance elasticity during the Spring Festival, including duty-free, cross-border e-commerce, and certain scenic spots [8] - It highlights the potential of new consumption trends and the importance of adapting to market changes in 2026 [8]