Latest news: Slow week in US; cuts at Remington; G6 franchise meetings

Slow week in US. The U.S. hotel industry reported negative year-over-year comparisons for the week of March 9-15, according to CoStar data. Occupancy was 64.2% (-3.5% YOY); ADR was $162.49 (-0.7% YOY); and RevPAR was $104.36 (-4.2% YOY). Among the Top 25 Markets, San Francisco saw the highest occupancy lift (+6.6% to 63.7%). Houston reported the largest increases in ADR (+13.8% to $137.98) and RevPAR (+16.0% to $97.21). The steepest RevPAR declines were seen in Anaheim (-27.8% to $149.51) and Seattle (-15.5% to $101.77), the latter due to a calendar shift of the Aerospace & Defense Suppliers Summit.

Remington reduces headcount. Ashford Hospitality Trust announced its Remington third-party management company has fully implemented property-level headcount reductions, reduced travel expenses, changed the PTO policy for field associates, and reduced contracted services and centralized expenses allocated to the company's properties as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance Hotel EBITDA. These expense reductions are expected to drive over $11 million in incremental Hotel EBITDA. Ashford said these moves are designed to help execute on its "GRO AHT" initiative aimed at driving $50 million in annual run-rate EBITDA improvement and significantly increasing shareholder value. Combined with the previously Ashford expects completed initiatives to contribute over $30 million per year in incremental EBITDA towards its $50 million goal.

Canada inbound slows. Canadians have cut travel to the U.S. Flight Centre Travel Group Canada noted that leisure bookings to U.S. cities were -40% y/y in February, R.W. Baird research noted, and one in five travelers cancelled their U.S. trip over the last three months. Flair Airlines is ending flights to Nashville this summer; Sunwing Airlines has ended all service to the U.S.; Air Canada has reduced flights by 10% to Arizona, Florida, and Las Vegas beginning in March; and WestJet has noted a shift in bookings to Mexico and the Caribbean.

Mama Shelter expansion. Ennismore’s Mama Shelter brand has signed a MOU with Groupe Sebban for a property in Toulon, France. Set to open in late 2027, the 100-room Mama Shelter will be located on Cours Lafayette, a lively and historic area known for its market and proximity to the city’s cultural landmarks. The hotel will be housed within the Ancien Évêché de Toulon, a historic site undergoing a significant renovation. Room sizes will range from 21m² to 32m² for family accommodations. A restaurant and bar will feature more than 150 seats, set around a preserved plane tree and enclosed within a glass roof. The hotel will also feature two high-tech seminar rooms for meetings and events.

G6 franchise meetings. G6 Hospitality, the parent company of Motel 6 and Studio 6, has announced a franchisee partner engagement initiative with plans to host more than 15 owner meetings across the U.S. The company aims to conduct one meeting in every region before the end of the year aimed at strengthening relationships with franchisees and gather insights to drive growth. This initiative follows an announcement of a $10 million marketing investment to accelerate customer adoption and enhance brand engagement. The company plans to expand its website and My6 app capabilities to quadruple app installations before the summer season. Parent company OYO plans to add more than 150 hotels in 2025, especially in Texas, California, Georgia, and Arizona.

Sensei growth. Sensei, the luxury wellbeing company founded by Larry Ellison, has partnered with Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, in Puerto Los Cabos, Mexico, offering among other things guided one-on-one consultations, rejuvenating spa treatments, and group fitness yoga and meditation classes. Sensei applies data-driven health knowledge and utilizes technology in its programs and services. Sensei launched in 2018 and includes the Sensei Lana’i, A Four Seasons Resort in Hawaii, as well as the Sensei Porcupine Creek in Palm Springs, California.