US: Luxury hotels rise as low-end brands slump
Luxury hotels in the U.S. have seen strong growth in demand and rates, while economy hotels have seen year-over-year declines, bucking historical trends
Higher-end travelers, and therefore higher-end hotels, are experiencing robust growth in demand and room rates. However, the same cannot be said for the lower end of the market.
Key takeaways
- For the first five months of the year, luxury hotel occupancy was up 1.8% year-over-year, while economy hotel occupancy was down 3.4%, according to CoStar;
- This break from the usual pattern, where room demand across all segments tracks GDP growth, suggests that current economic pressures are affecting consumers differently across income levels;
- High inflation for core items for lower-income households, such as housing, food and car payments, may force them to prioritize essential expenses over discretionary travel.
Get the full story at Skift (subscription only)