Todays’ news in brief – 12-12-23
RBH Hospitality Management reported a remarkable 22% increase in Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) compared to 2019, surpassing the national average of 15%, as per data from HotStats. Additionally, the company disclosed a 13% rise in Gross Operating Profit, outperforming the national average of 0.6% growth by September 2023. CEO David Hart attributed their success to forward planning and effective management of fixed costs with partners. Looking ahead to 2024, the focus is on streamlining housekeeping operations and implementing room energy management systems, which, after a successful trial, indicated a potential 40% reduction in energy consumption.
DoubleTree by Hilton Bristol City Centre welcomed Adam Flint as its new general manager. Flint, with over 20 years of experience, previously worked with Marriott, EQ Hotels, Hilton, and the Doyle Collection. Flint expressed excitement about contributing to the hotel’s ESG initiatives and enhancing its position in Bristol. The hotel, part of Focus Hotels Management Ltd, has 206 bedrooms, 17 meeting rooms, and Kiln Restaurant in a historic 17th-century glass kiln.
The UK hotel market demonstrated robust trading performance in 2023, according to Knight Frank’s UK Hotel Trading Performance Review in collaboration with HotStats. Despite a challenging macroeconomic environment, the sector showed strong revenue growth, with profits surpassing pre-pandemic levels. London’s 12-month occupancy increased by 16 percentage points to 77%, outperforming regional occupancy for the first time since the post-pandemic recovery. The recovery of overseas visitors and strong growth in corporate and leisure demand were key drivers. London’s Average Daily Rate (ADR) rose by 8%, and regional occupancy is expected to exceed 74% with strong ADR growth. The report suggests a cautiously optimistic outlook for 2024, with continued growth in the hotel sector.
