Brazilian Hotels Posting Double-Digit Performance Growth for Second Consecutive Year

SAO PAULO, Aug. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels today released its bi-lingual research study, Lodging Industry in Numbers – Brazil 2011, which reveals that Brazil's continued high economic growth is spurring high revenue per available room (RevPAR) growth in the hotel sector for the second consecutive year. In 2010, the country posted the highest RevPAR growth rate on record at 17.3 percent, and hotel performance in 2011 is tracking at a similar increase, with growth on pace to reach the double-digit mark again this year. The firm's annual report provides a detailed performance analysis of nearly 400 hotels, condo hotels and resorts in Brazil and is the largest surveyed sample of hotels available in the region.

"Booming domestic and international travel demand in the country continues to drive up occupancy and average daily rates, or ADR, in markets across Brazil," said Ricardo Mader, Executive Vice President for Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels in Sao Paulo. "The rise in ADR has outpaced the country's GDP growth, highlighting the significant recovery in the sector."

"We're seeing this trend continue. In 2011, RevPAR has reached the double-digit growth mark in the 16 hotels we asset manage throughout Brazil, which is indicative of the overall market conditions," Mader said.

Investors are undoubtedly taking note. "Following Host Hotels & Resorts' acquisition of the JW Marriott Rio de Janeiro in the fourth quarter of last year, there has been an unprecedented uptick in the amount of international investors evaluating development opportunities in Brazil this year," said Clay Dickinson, Executive Vice President for Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels. "The firm is advising private equity and institutional investors from the United States, Europe and Latin America on market expansion strategies. Investment funds from the Middle East and Asia have Brazil on their radar as well." Domestic investors, comprised of local hotel companies and private developers, are also increasingly focused on expansion.

Yet amid all this interest, the supply pipeline for Brazil remains moderate. "The market is not facing an explosion of new supply. The number of rooms under construction and in advanced stages of planning for the next three years represents a moderate increase of 6.8 percent of total existing rooms in the country," said Manuela Gorni, Senior Vice President for Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels in Sao Paulo.

This is based on the firm's database of hotel projects that will be affiliated with the dominant hotel chains present in Brazil. The pipeline of properties in these stages encompasses 198 hotels with 30,500 rooms, largely concentrated in the economy and mid-market segments. Additionally, with only approximately 27 percent of hotel room stock in the market affiliated with an international or domestic brand, the opportunity for the expansion of branded product remains strong.

Brazil possesses solid long-term fundamentals, a rapidly growing middle class, rising demographic trends, a diversified list of trading partners and tepid supply pipeline. "The investment cycle is gaining continued momentum, including further announcements of foreign brands planning a multi-unit roll out of hotel product. Additionally, the consolidation of domestic players is expected as the country gears up for the FIFA Soccer World Cup in 2014 and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro," said Gorni.

Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels' Lodging Industry in Numbers – Brazil 2011 serves as a benchmarking tool for both domestic and foreign hotel investors and owners for use in feasibility studies for investments in Brazil and during the budgeting process for existing properties. To request a copy of the report, visit www.joneslanglasallehotels.com or www.jllhss.com.

About Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels

Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, the first and leading global hotel investment services firm, is uniquely positioned to provide the depth and breadth of advice required by hotel investor and operator clients, through a robust and integrated local network. In 2010, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels provided sale, purchase and financing advice on $4.1 billion worth of transactions globally. In addition, advisory and valuation services were provided on over 1,000 assignments. The global team comprises over 225 hotel specialists, operating from 39 offices in 20 countries. The firm's advice is supported by a dedicated global research team, which produced 70 publications in 2010 in addition to client research. Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels' services span the hospitality spectrum; from luxury single assets and large portfolios to select service and budget hotels, resorts and pubs. Services include investment sales, mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, valuation and appraisal, asset management, strategic planning, operator selection, management contract negotiation, consulting, industry research and project development services. Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels' clients have access to the resources of its parent company, Jones Lang LaSalle (NYSE: JLL). www.joneslanglasallehotels.com

SOURCE Jones Lang LaSalle