The latest Hotel Investment Outlook report from Jones Lang LaSalle has predicted that, despite the continued uncertainty in the global economy, investment volumes in hotels will "hold steady". The firm anticipates that more than USD 30 billion (GBP 19.38 billion) will be transacted by the end of 2012. Arthur de Haast, chairman of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, explained there are still appealing investment opportunities in the hospitality sector. "So far, the dislocation in the financial markets has not impacted underlying trading fundamentals. This has reassured investors to a certain degree and has underscored the attractiveness high-quality, income-producing hotel real estate as an asset class," he stated.
In terms of global hotel markets where growth is expected, China remains among the most prominent, with the organisation commenting it has "good momentum" despite the pace of expansion slowing down. Other markets that may appeal to those seeking a property investment in this industry include Poland, Russia and South America, the report added. Speaking at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference recently, global chief executive officer of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels Mark Wynne-Smith highlighted some areas to look out for in 2012. "Cities which will achieve RevPar (revenue per available room) growth will be the favoured other locations - Barcelona, Warsaw, Moscow, Istanbul, for example," HotelierMiddleEast.com quoted him as saying.
The news provider also cited comments from Puneet Chhatwal, chief development officer at The Rezidor Hotel Group, who said he has noticed "a continued rebound in some of the markets which hit rock-bottom during the recession". In particular, he highlighted Ireland and the Baltic nations, although he stressed any growth here is from "a low base". The most recent HotStats European Chain Hotels Market Review released by TRI Hospitality Consulting revealed Istanbul's hoteliers recorded a 15.2 per cent increase in RevPar in November compared to October, while the Total Gross Operating Profit (GOP PAR) rose by 40.9 per cent in the same period. Meanwhile, Barcelona experienced RevPar growth of 8.4 per cent and an increase in GOP PAR of 23.6 per cent in the same timeframe.