Di Yi Cai Jing·2025-10-31 10:49Core Insights - The Chinese county-level hotel market has significant potential, driven by factors such as a large population base, infrastructure development, and a growing tourism market, with supply-side reform being the biggest opportunity for the hotel industry in the future [1][3] Industry Overview - The chain rate of the Chinese hotel market is projected to be around 40% in 2024, indicating substantial opportunities for growth in the chain hotel sector, particularly in third and fourth-tier cities [3] - The hotel industry is experiencing a shift from simple expansion to focusing on high-cost performance hotels, including mid-range and tech-integrated self-service hotels, to provide better emotional value and service to customers [5] Company Developments - Huazhu Group plans to launch a new brand called "Huazhu Daguan" and expand its self-service hotel brand "Haiyou," which operates with a low staff-to-room ratio, significantly reducing labor costs [4] - The investment return for self-service hotels is relatively short, with new construction costs starting at approximately 57,000 yuan per room and renovation costs at around 25,000 yuan per room, making it a low-cost investment option [4] Market Dynamics - The hotel industry is transitioning into a stock competition era, where key operational metrics such as occupancy rates and average room rates are increasingly linked to city tiers, necessitating a focus on both revenue enhancement and cost optimization [5] - The rise of AI technology is expected to further enhance customer experience and operational efficiency in the hotel sector [3][5]