Consultants report improved global hotel real estate market

Some $24.3 billion in hotel real estate traded hands globally in 2010 as investors made their way back into the market sector following the economic fall out of 2009 which marked the floor of the hotel investment market, according to a new report.

The Americas region registered the most dramatic rise in 2010, with transaction volumes increasing five fold to $11.1 billion, driven by acquisitive REITs and the $3.9 billion purchase of Extended Stay Hotels, the Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels’ Hotel Investment Outlook report shows.

Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) was the second most liquid region, experiencing a more than 110% jump in volumes to $9.3 billion. While activity across Asia Pacific edged upwards at a more moderated pace with total sales of $3.9 billion, reflecting lower levels of leverage in the market and hence fewer distressed sales, along with a slowdown in deal pace in Japan.

‘The rebound of operating fundamentals is a motivating tonic for both buyers and sellers, as is the broad cross section of equity capital in the market. We expect volumes to rachet up another 15 to 25% in 2011, reaching $28 to 30 billion globally,’ said Arthur de Haast, global chief executive officer for Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels.

Hotel real estate sales in the Americas are expected to total up to $13 billion in 2011, driven by the breadth of equity, an increased number of bank-forced sales and easing levels of leverage, with the bulk of activity taking place in the US. This will represent an increase of 80% on 2010 levels when excluding the $3.9 billion Extended Stay Hotels transaction.

‘Investor confidence is on a robust rebound. Markets are expected to continue to recover through 2011 as the economic upturn solidifies. Dominant acquirers of hotel assets in 2011 will be REITs, institutional investors, and private and high net worth investors with opportunistic capital,’ said Arthur Adler, chief executive officer and managing director of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels.

The EMEA region is projected to increase to $13.1 billion, with bank driven sales driving a significant portion of this figure, particularly in the UK, Ireland and Spain. Japan is forecast to lead the Asia Pacific sales, slated to reach $3.5 billion in 2011, as banks take a view on initiating structured sales.

As the economic rhetoric switched from recession to recovery, cross-regional capital flows increased to 41% of total transaction volume in 2010 compared to 15% in 2009 as well capitalized investors acquired assets in displaced markets across the globe, the report also shows.

Global capital was most active with a share of 53% of cross regional investments. Asian, Middle Eastern and U.S. investors were keen to secure prime acquisition opportunities outside of their region, particularly in Europe.

‘There is no doubt that cross border investments will further increase in 2011. With more clarity on operating fundamentals, continued breadth of equity capital in the market, and generally reduced risk perceptions, investors will be more open to opportunities beyond their home markets,’ said de Haast.

‘Fortune favours the bold. Early movers and risk takers will often be rewarded, and the global mantra across all markets and segments in 2011 will be the focus on hotel fundamentals,’ he added.