Direct online and corporate travel continue to bolster Choice Hotels Asia-Pac Q2 performance in a competitive market.
Following a record breaking first quarter, leading hotel group Choice Hotels Asia-Pac has reported consistent year-on-year growth across key metrics in the second quarter of 2023.
Australian figures for revenue per available room (RevPAR) in Q2 were 6 per cent higher than the same period in 2022, with average daily rates (ADR) up 8 per cent on last year’s rates. In New Zealand Q2 RevPAR was up 15 per cent on the same period in 2022, with ADRs for the quarter up 7 per cent.
Choice Hotel’s revenue management services supported franchisees to stay ahead. Properties opted into Choice’s revenue management program outperformed the remainder of the portfolio by 13 per cent on average.
Despite increased industry competition and economic factors impacting domestic travel, Choice Hotels Asia-Pac CEO Trent Fraser sees the quarter’s results as a turning point for the business.
“After a sensational first quarter, we were anticipating a slowdown in growth. However, growth continued in Q2 despite the tough market conditions which highlights the maturity and strength of our business delivery to our franchisees,” said Mr. Fraser.
Two key pillars of Choice Hotels Asia-Pac's model have retained their strength with continued success in direct online bookings and corporate travel delivery. Off the back of records in March 2023, the group delivered a 5 per cent increase in direct online rooms nights and a pleasing 26 per cent increase in corporate room nights, when compared to the same period in 2022.
“Our experienced team has continued to deliver growth for franchisees and offering a compelling value proposition for those considering a brand. As a result, we attracted a strong pipeline for portfolio growth and pleasingly welcomed five executed deals this quarter,” added Mr. Fraser.
Choice Hotels Asia-Pac’s five new deals will add to their portfolio of more than 350 open and under development hotels including two new Ascend Hotel Collection locations that have joined the group in recent months.
Coinciding with the industry’s first and largest soft brand, the Ascend Hotel Collection’s 15th year, Choice Hotels Asia-Pac welcomed their 15th Ascend property in Australia with the launch of First Light Mooloolaba. In addition, Choice Hotels’ first Ascend property in Asia, hotel around TAKAYAMA, was opened in Takayama City in the Japanese Alps.