Hotel investment firm Gencom is preparing to close three hotel acquisitions over the next month, with another two or three deals under consideration for early 2027. The planned purchases include international investments, urban luxury hotels, and full-service properties. Improved lending terms and greater competition among lenders have given established investors more room to pursue acquisitions. Gencom is also attracting private capital from wealthy individuals and family offices in Europe and Latin America. However, rising property valuations and differences between buyer and seller expectations continue to complicate deals. Read more

BWH Hotels has announced a global brand transformation under the WorldHotels name, bringing more than 4,000 hotels across over 100 countries under one parent brand. Existing hotel brands, property identities, and signage will remain in place. The company is also preparing to launch WorldHotels Rewards on January 5, 2027, combining the Best Western Rewards and WorldHotels Rewards programs. The unified program will bring together millions of existing loyalty members. A redesigned website and mobile app form part of the change. The move aims to give travelers a clearer view of the group's full portfolio while helping independent hotels benefit from its global reach and commercial resources. Read more

The UK's 2026 budget introduces changes intended to ease business rates for smaller hospitality businesses. The threshold at which businesses must pay these rates will rise from £12,000 to £18,000, potentially removing thousands of properties from the tax altogether. The government has also confirmed energy cost reductions for businesses from April 2027, with backdated payments available. However, hotel operators continue to face pressure from rising wages and operating costs. Industry representatives have called for broader business rates discounts across the hospitality sector. The budget also gives mayors plans to introduce visitor levies on overnight stays from 2028, which could add another cost for hotel guests. Read more

Hyatt's hotel portfolio in Canada has quadrupled since 2017, and the company now has more than 40 hotel deals in its development pipeline. It expects to open 10 properties in the country in 2027, marking its busiest year for Canadian openings. Upcoming projects will expand its luxury, lifestyle, and extended-stay offerings. Park Hyatt Vancouver will add a West Coast location to the brand, while two independent properties on Haida Gwaii will join the Unscripted by Hyatt collection while retaining their Haida ownership and identity. Hyatt Select and Hyatt Studios will also enter the Canadian market, targeting hotel conversions and extended-stay travelers. The expansion gives owners access to Hyatt's global booking network and World of Hyatt loyalty program. Read more

The US Federal Reserve has held its benchmark interest rate at 3.75% to 4%, offering some relief to hotel owners facing high borrowing costs. However, financing remains expensive compared with the low rates available when many hotel owners took out loans in 2021 and 2022. As those loans mature, owners may need to contribute additional cash to refinance or sell their properties. The gap between sellers' price expectations and buyers' financing costs continues to slow transactions. Industry experts expect lender pressure and forced sales to increase in 2027. Hotels with strong demand, good operating performance, and limited renovation needs are better positioned to manage the higher cost of debt. Read more

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