The Zacks Hotels and Motels industry is hurt by economic uncertainty, labor shortages and rising wages,    as well as dismal occupancy and RevPAR. However, industry participants are focusing on growth strategies, including expanding their portfolios, converting properties, forming partnerships and enhancing loyalty programs. Industry players, such as Marriott International, Inc. (MAR) , Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (HLT) and Choice Hotels International, Inc. (CHH) are likely to benefit from the factors me ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 4.1% increase in global RevPAR for Q1 2025, exceeding the guidance range of 3% to 4% [5][10] - Average Daily Rate (ADR) increased by 3%, while occupancy rose by 1 percentage point [5][10] - Total gross fee revenues increased by 5% year over year to $1.28 billion [17] - Adjusted EBITDA totaled $1.22 billion, reflecting a 7% increase [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Group RevPAR rose by 8% globally, while business transient and leisure transient each grew by 2% globally [7][21] - The select service segment in the U.S. and Canada experienced softer growth, particularly in March [9][16] - International RevPAR increased nearly 6%, with APAC leading at an 11% rise [6][21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - RevPAR in the U.S. and Canada rose over 3%, with luxury and full-service hotels outperforming select service properties [5][6] - In EMEA, RevPAR rose by 6% due to strong transient demand [7] - Greater China saw a 2% decline in RevPAR, primarily due to a weaker macro environment [7][21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is lowering its full-year RevPAR growth guidance by 50 basis points due to a cautious outlook in the U.S. and Canada [10][20] - Development activity remains robust, with a record 35% increase in signings year over year, totaling over 587,000 rooms in the pipeline [11][12] - The company is focused on enhancing efficiency and productivity, which contributed to a 6% decline in G&A expenses [18][26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's agility and resilience amid heightened macroeconomic uncertainty [9][10] - The outlook for the second quarter anticipates a global RevPAR increase of 1.5% to 2.5% [20] - Management noted that demand trends internationally remain strong, except for Greater China, which is expected to be flat [21][22] Other Important Information - The company is expanding its portfolio with the addition of the CitizenM brand, which is expected to enhance growth opportunities [12][13] - The Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program reached nearly 237 million members, with member penetration at a record 68% of room nights globally [13][14] - Full-year adjusted diluted EPS is anticipated to be between $9.82 and $10.19, with an effective tax rate around 26% [26][27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on the weaker select service performance? - Management noted that March saw softness in the U.S. and Canada, attributed to macroeconomic factors and the impact of government layoffs [32][34] Question: What is the owner's commitment to the CitizenM brand? - Management indicated strong enthusiasm from owners regarding the brand's positioning and growth potential [38] Question: How are developers reacting to current market conditions? - Developers remain optimistic about long-term opportunities despite short-term turbulence, with signings up significantly [42][44] Question: What is the outlook for inbound international travel to the U.S.? - The company reported a higher international mix in Q1 compared to the previous year, with strong demand from various countries [70][71] Question: How is the group booking pace trending into 2026? - Forward bookings for 2026 are tracking up about 7%, indicating positive momentum [77]