The UK’s major city hotel markets have rebounded strongly since the depth of the Covid-pandemic, but each destination has its own unique challenges and opportunities.

Greater Manchester has been revitalised in recent years through the (ongoing) regeneration of former industrial sites, refurbishment of historic buildings and enhancement of transportation infrastructure.

The UK’s 2nd largest hotel market continues to attract keen investor interest including those looking for “value add” opportunities – acquiring, renovating and rebranding underperforming properties.

Continuing recovery in business travel demand will be critical to Manchester’s hotel performance over the coming months.

Horwath HTL constantly monitors hotel markets across the country and has prepared short updates on seven cities highlighting some common themes and unique characteristics influencing investment decisions in the sector. Our September updates include Birmingham, Greater Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bristol, Liverpool and Cardiff.

In all the markets surveyed, average daily rates have exceeded pre-pandemic records despite occupancy levels generally lagging behind 2018 and 2019. Rate has been driven up by transient leisure demand, particularly around the return of major sports and cultural events, while traditionally lower rate group business has been more muted.

Substantial new supply has entered the market over the past year and the pipeline of new hotels in all markets remains robust and is likely to restrain occupancy rate growth in the short term. In the meantime Investors and operators are increasingly focused on value-add conversion opportunities – renovating existing hotels to improve market appeal and increase operating efficiency.

Expectations are that corporate and international travel (which have yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels) will continue to build back, however, concerns remain that rising costs and weakening consumer sentiment will soften demand and significantly erode profitability over the coming months.

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Marjolein Delhaye / mdelhaye@horwathhtl.com