What the Brexit Referendum could mean for hotels
The UK hotel industry is in the middle of 30 consecutive months of moving average revenue-per-available-room (RevPAR) growth. However, the industry could face strong headwinds for future growth now that voters have approved a measure to exit the European Union, according to STR.
While is it impossible to quantify the exact extent of the proposed Brexit, it most likely will have some impact on hotel performance both in London and regionally. Hotels have experienced the longest 12-month moving average period of RevPAR growth since January 2007, albeit growth has slowed recently. Figures for May 2016 show that while London’s monthly performance has been positive, its year-to-date May RevPAR was down 3.0% to GBP99.88, driven by a 2.7% decline in occupancy levels. On the other hand, regional UK witnessed an increase in RevPAR of 2.2% to GBP46.87, as a 2.9% increase in average daily rate (ADR) offset the 0.6% decline in occupancy.
STR and forecast partner, Tourism Economics, believe the recent movement of the British pound on the currency market exchange is an early indicator of the overall impact that Brexit may have on the overall economy—which would filter down to the hotel industry. Most of the impact is likely to be on travel confidence, especially business travel, which is likely to derive from the uncertain environment. STR forecasts for the UK and London market are produced in partnership with Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company.
Short-term impact
STR concurs with Oxford Economics’ belief that one possible Brexit scenario would be negative for London’s hotel industry, although the depth of the negativity is difficult to gauge. Weaker domestic hotel demand, in line with weaker GDP, consumer spend and higher unemployment can be expected now that Britain has voted to leave the EU. Larger falls might be expected in capital investment, including hotel investment, because of the ensuing uncertain business environment of Brexit. This may affect business travel, which is a large component of the London hotel market.
On the other hand, the sharp drop in currency exchange rates expected by Oxford Economics following a Brexit may make London more affordable to some extent. It is possible that this could be enough to offset the negative impact from weaker domestic demand. Market sentiment will play some role and could accentuate any negative effects if a vote to leave is followed by a souring of relations with the remaining EU countries. By contrast, a smooth transition and a continued perception of London as a positive place to visit and do business could accentuate positive price effects.
Long-term impact
While Oxford Economics predicts that the longer term impact on overall domestic economic activity will be negative, there is a potential positive impact for the hotel industry, due to increased affordability of the UK and London as a destination, derived from a weaker exchange rate. However, some uncertainty is likely to remain, not least from the potential long-run impact of lower investment, which would continue to affect business-travel decisions.
AccomNews is not affiliated with any government agency, body or political party. We are an independently owned, family-operated magazine.
