PARSIPPANY, N.J. (April 30, 2025) – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) today announced results for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Highlights include:
Global openings of 15,000 rooms increased 13% year-over-year, a record first quarter.
System-wide rooms grew 4% year-over-year.
Awarded 181 development contracts globally, an increase of 6% year-over-year.
Development pipeline grew 1% sequentially and 5% year-over-year to a record 254,000 rooms.
Global RevPAR grew 2% in constant currency.
Fee-related and other revenues increased 4% year-over-year.
Diluted earnings per share of $78 compared to $0.19 in the prior-year quarter and adjusted diluted EPS grew 10% year-over-year to $0.86, or 20% on a comparable basis.
Net income of $61 million compared to $16 million in the prior-year quarter; adjusted net income increased 5% year-over-year to $67 million, or 14% on a comparable basis.
Adjusted EBITDA increased 3% year-over-year to $145 million, or 9% on a comparable basis.
Returned $109 million to shareholders through $76million of share repurchases and quarterly cash dividends of $0.41 per share.
“We delivered a solid start to the year with strong system growth, record first-quarter openings and continued expansion across every region,” said Geoff Ballotti, president and chief executive officer. “While the macro environment remains uncertain, we’re staying focused on what we can control — investing in high-quality growth, executing with discipline and supporting our franchisees. Our asset-light, franchise-only business model has consistently outperformed during economic downturns and positions us well to deliver long-term value for our shareholders through all phases of any economic cycle.”
System Size and Development
The Company’s global system grew 4%. Importantly, these results included 4% growth in the higher RevPAR midscale and above segments in the U.S., as well as strong growth in the Company’s higher RevPAR EMEA and Latin America regions, which grew a combined 6%. The Company remains on track to achieve its net room growth outlook of 3.6% to 4.6% for the full year 2025.
On March 31, 2025, the Company’s global development pipeline consisted of approximately 2,140 hotels and 254,000 rooms, representing another record-high level and a 5% year-over-year increase. Key highlights include:
5% growth in the U.S. and 4% internationally
19th consecutive quarter of sequential pipeline growth
Approximately 70% of the pipeline is in the midscale and above segments, which grew 7% year-over-year
Approximately 17% of the pipeline is in the extended stay segment
Approximately 58% of the pipeline is international
Approximately 77% of the pipeline is new construction and approximately 35% of these projects have broken ground
During first quarter 2025, the Company awarded 181 new contracts, an increase of 6% year-over-year.
RevPAR
First quarter global RevPAR increased 2% in constant currency compared to 2024, reflecting 2% growth in the U.S. and 3% growth internationally.
In the U.S., RevPAR growth includes 100 basis points of benefit from hurricanes and the timing of the Easter holiday. Excluding those factors, the Company’s U.S. RevPAR grew 60 basis points year-over-year as pricing strength was partially offset by softer demand with the pullback more pronounced during March.
Internationally, RevPAR growth was also driven by pricing power. The Company continued to see strong performance in its EMEA and Latin America regions, with year-over-year growth of 6% and 25%, respectively, reflecting robust pricing power, partially offset by modest occupancy declines. In China, demand remained steady but RevPAR declined 8% year-over-year reflecting continued pricing pressure.
First Quarter Operating Results The comparability of the Company’s first quarter results is impacted by marketing fund variability. The Company’s reported results and comparable-basis results (adjusted to neutralize these impacts) are presented below to enhance transparency and provide a better understanding of the results of the Company’s ongoing operations.
Fee-related and other revenues grew 4% to $316 million compared to $304 million in first quarter 2024, which reflects higher royalties and franchise fees and higher ancillary revenues.
The Company generated net income of $61 million compared to $16 million in first quarter 2024. The increase primarily reflects lower transaction-related expenses in connection with defending an unsuccessful hostile takeover attempt. Other items primarily include the absence of impairment and restructuring costs recorded in first quarter 2024, partially offset by higher interest expense. Adjusted net income grew 5% to $67 million compared to $64 million in first quarter 2024.
Adjusted EBITDA grew 3% to $145 million compared to $141million in first quarter 2024. This increase included an $8 million unfavorable impact from marketing fund variability, excluding which adjusted EBITDA grew 9% on a comparable basis, primarily reflecting higher fee-related revenues and margin expansion.
Diluted earnings per share was $78 compared to $0.19 in first quarter 2024. This increase reflects higher net income and the benefit of a lower share count due to share repurchase activity.
Adjusted diluted EPS grew 10% to $0.86 compared to $0.78 in first quarter 2024. This increase included an unfavorable impact of $0.07 per share related to marketing fund variability (after estimated taxes). On a comparable basis, adjusted diluted EPS increased approximately 20% year-over-year, reflecting comparable adjusted EBITDA growth, lower depreciation and amortization and the benefit of share repurchase activity, partially offset by higher interest expense.
During first quarter 2025, the Company’s marketing fund expenses exceeded revenues by $22 million; while in first quarter 2024, the Company’s marketing fund expenses exceeded revenues by $14 million, resulting in $8 million of marketing fund variability.
Full reconciliations of GAAP results to the Company’s non-GAAP adjusted measures for all reported periods appear in the tables to this press release.
Balance Sheet and Liquidity The Company generated $59 million of net cash provided by operating activities and $80 million of free cash flow in first quarter 2025. The Company ended the quarter with a cash balance of $48 million and approximately $637 million in total liquidity.
The Company’s net debt leverage ratio was 3.5 times at March 31, 2025, at the midpoint of the Company’s 3 to 4 times stated target range and in line with expectations.
Share Repurchases and Dividends During the first quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 797,000 shares of its common stock for $76 million.
The Company paid common stock dividends of $33 million, or $0.41 per share, during the first quarter 2025.
Full-Year 2025 Outlook The Company is refining its outlook to reflect a softer-than-expected RevPAR environment. The updated range reflects a variety of potential outcomes for the remainder of the year, from a more optimistic scenario in which the softness seen in March and April proves to be temporary, to a more cautious view that contemplates persistent pressure on demand throughout the remainder of the year.
The Company continues to expect marketing fund revenues to approximate expenses during full-year 2025 though seasonality of spend will affect the quarterly comparisons throughout the year.
More detailed projections are available in Table 8 of this press release. The Company is providing certain financial metrics only on a non-GAAP basis because, without unreasonable efforts, it is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the occurrence or amount of all of the adjustments or other potential adjustments that may arise in the future during the forward-looking period, which can be dependent on future events that may not be reliably predicted. Based on past reported results, where one or more of these items have been applicable, such excluded items could be material, individually or in the aggregate, to the reported results.
Conference Call Information Wyndham Hotels will hold a conference call with investors to discuss the Company’s results and outlook on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. ET. Listeners can access the webcast live through the Company’s website at https://investor.wyndhamhotels.com. The conference call may also be accessed by dialing 800 343-4136 and providing the passcode “Wyndham”. Listeners are urged to call at least five minutes prior to the scheduled start time. An archive of this webcast will be available on the website beginning at noon ET on May 1, 2025. A telephone replay will be available for approximately ten days beginning at noon ET on May 1, 2025 at 800 688-9459.
Presentation of Financial Information Financial information discussed in this press release includes non-GAAP measures, which include or exclude certain items. These non-GAAP measures differ from reported GAAP results and are intended to illustrate what management believes are relevant period-over-period comparisons and are helpful to investors as an additional tool for further understanding and assessing the Company’s ongoing operating performance. The Company uses these measures internally to assess its operating performance, both absolutely and in comparison to other companies, and to make day to day operating decisions, including in the evaluation of selected compensation decisions. Exclusion of items in the Company’s non-GAAP presentation should not be considered an inference that these items are unusual, infrequent or non-recurring. Full reconciliations of GAAP results to the comparable non-GAAP measures for the reported periods appear in the financial tables section of this press release.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company by the number of franchised properties, with approximately 9,300 hotels across over 95 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 907,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 25 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, ECHO Suites®, Registry Collection Hotels®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers over 115 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit https://investor.wyndhamhotels.com. The Company may use its website and social media channels as means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Disclosures of this nature will be included on the Company’s website in the Investors section, which can currently be accessed at https://investor.wyndhamhotels.com or on the Company’s social media channels, including the Company’s LinkedIn account which can currently be accessed at https://www.linkedin.com/company/wyndhamhotels. Accordingly, investors should monitor this section of the Company’s website and the Company’s social media channels in addition to following the Company’s press releases, filings submitted with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any public conference calls or webcasts.
Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements related to Wyndham’s current views and expectations with respect to its future performance and operations, including revenues, earnings, cash flow and other financial and operating measures, share repurchases and dividends and restructuring charges. Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements of historical fact, including those that convey management’s expectations as to the future based on plans, estimates and projections at the time Wyndham makes the statements and may be identified by words such as “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “intend,” “goal,” “future,” “forward,” “remain,” “confident,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “target,” “objective,” “estimate,” “projection” and similar words or expressions, including the negative version of such words and expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Wyndham to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, general economic conditions, including inflation, higher interest rates and potential recessionary pressures, which may impact decisions by consumers and businesses to use travel accommodations; global trade disputes, including with China; the performance of the financial and credit markets; the economic environment for the hospitality industry; operating risks associated with the hotel franchising business; Wyndham’s relationships with franchisees; the impact of war, terrorist activity, political instability or political strife, including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, respectively; global or regional health crises or pandemics including the resulting impact on Wyndham’s business, operations, financial results, cash flows and liquidity, as well as the impact on its franchisees, guests and team members, the hospitality industry and overall demand for and restrictions on travel; Wyndham’s ability to satisfy obligations and agreements under its outstanding indebtedness, including the payment of principal and interest and compliance with the covenants thereunder; risks related to Wyndham’s ability to obtain financing and the terms of such financing, including access to liquidity and capital; and Wyndham’s ability to make or pay, plans for and the timing and amount of any future share repurchases and/or dividends, as well as the risks described in Wyndham’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones Wyndham may face and additional risks may arise or become material in the future. Wyndham undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Company Increases Quarterly Dividend by 8% and Provides Full-Year 2025 Outlook
PARSIPPANY, N.J., February 12, 2025 – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) today announced results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024. Highlights include:
Global RevPAR grew 5% compared to fourth quarter 2023 in constant currency, a 400 basis point improvement sequentially; full-year global RevPAR grew 2% year-over-year in constant currency.
U.S. RevPAR grew 5% compared to fourth quarter 2023, a 600 basis point improvement sequentially; full-year U.S. RevPAR was flat.
System-wide rooms grew 4% year-over-year.
Opened a record 68,700 rooms globally, representing 4% year-over-year growth, including nearly 28,000 in the U.S., which also grew 4% year-over-year.
Global retention rate reaches record level at 95.7%.
Development pipeline grew 2% sequentially and 5% year-over-year to a record 252,000 rooms.
Fourth quarter diluted earnings per share increased 80% to $1.08 and adjusted diluted EPS grew 14% to $1.04, or approximately 18% on a comparable basis; full-year 2024 diluted earnings per share increased 6% to $3.61 and adjusted diluted EPS grew 8% to $4.33, or approximately 10% on a comparable basis.
Fourth quarter net income increased 70% to $85 million and adjusted net income increased 9% to $82 million, or approximately 13% on a comparable basis; full-year 2024 net income was $289 million, or flat year-over-year, and adjusted net income increased 2% to $347 million, or approximately 4% on a comparable basis.
Fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA increased 9% to $168 million, or approximately 12% on a comparable basis; full-year 2024 adjusted EBITDA increased 5% to $694 million, or approximately 7% on a comparable basis.
Returned $430 million to shareholders for the full-year through $308 million of share repurchases and quarterly cash dividends of $0.38 per share.
Board of Directors recently authorized an 8% increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.41 per share beginning with the dividend expected to be declared in the first quarter 2025.
“We’re proud to report a very strong finish to 2024 with net rooms growth of 4% and comparable adjusted EBITDA growth of 7%. Our team’s focus on expanding into higher FeePAR markets, growing our extended-stay footprint and unlocking new ancillary revenue streams underscore the diverse growth opportunities inherent in our asset-light, resilient business model,” said Geoff Ballotti, president and chief executive officer. “What excites us most about our future is the developer interest in, and demand for, our brands both here and overseas, reflected in a pipeline that grew another 5% to a record quarter-of-a-million rooms that will open in the coming years with significant FeePAR premiums compared to our existing system. This, when coupled with improving customer demand we’re seeing across both our leisure and infrastructure segments, lays a solid foundation for sustained momentum and meaningful value creation for our shareholders, guests, franchisees and team members for many years to come.”
System Size and Development
The Company’s global system grew 4%. Importantly, these results included 4% growth in the higher RevPAR midscale and above segments in the U.S. as well as strong growth in the Company’s higher RevPAR EMEA and Latin America regions, which grew a combined 7%. The Company also increased its retention rate by another 10 basis points year-over-year, ending the year at a record 95.7%.
On December 31, 2024, the Company’s global development pipeline consisted of approximately 2,100 hotels and 252,000 rooms, representing another record-high level and a 5% year-over-year increase. Key highlights include:
7% growth in the U.S. and 4% internationally
18th consecutive quarter of sequential pipeline growth
Approximately 70% of the pipeline is in the midscale and above segments, which grew 5% year-over-year
Approximately 17% of the pipeline is in the extended stay segment
Approximately 58% of the pipeline is international
Approximately 78% of the pipeline is new construction and approximately 35% of these projects have broken ground
RevPAR
Fourth quarter global RevPAR increased 5% in constant currency compared to 2023, reflecting 5% growth in the U.S., which accelerated throughout the quarter, and 6% growth internationally. For the full year, global RevPAR was flat compared to 2023 on a reported basis, in line with the Company’s outlook, and grew 2% in constant currency reflecting flat growth in the U.S. and 8% growth internationally.
In the U.S., fourth quarter results included 140 basis points of favorable hurricane impacts; excluding which, RevPAR grew 4% year-over-year reflecting strength in both weekday business bookings and weekend leisure demand. Overall, U.S. RevPAR improved 620 basis points sequentially from third quarter, or 480 basis points excluding hurricane impacts.
Internationally, RevPAR strength was driven by ADR growth of 6% in constant currency, while occupancy remained flat. The Company’s EMEA and Latin America regions saw the largest increases year-over-year in the fourth quarter, collectively growing 15%. RevPAR for the Company’s China region declined 11% in the fourth quarter, driven by a 10% decrease in ADR.
Operating Results
Fourth Quarter
Fee-related and other revenues grew 7% to $341 million compared to $320 million in fourth quarter 2023, which reflects higher royalties and franchise fees.
Net income grew 70% to $85 million compared to $50 million in fourth quarter 2023, reflecting higher adjusted EBITDA, as well as a lower effective tax rate and lower foreign currency impact for highly inflationary countries, which were partially offset by higher interest expense.
Adjusted EBITDA grew 9% to $168 million compared to $154million in fourth quarter 2023. This increase included a $4 million unfavorable impact from expected marketing fund variability, excluding which adjusted EBITDA grew 12% on a comparable basis, primarily reflecting higher royalties and franchise fees and margin expansion.
Diluted earnings per share grew 80% to $1.08 compared to $0.60 in fourth quarter 2023, which primarily reflects higher net income and the benefit of a lower share count due to share repurchase activity.
Adjusted diluted EPS grew 14% to $1.04 compared to $0.91 in fourth quarter 2023. This increase included an unfavorable impact of $0.04 per share related to expected marketing fund variability (after estimated taxes). On a comparable basis, adjusted diluted EPS increased approximately 18% year-over-year reflecting comparable adjusted EBITDA growth and the benefit of share repurchase activity, partially offset by higher interest expense.
During fourth quarter 2024, the Company’s marketing fund revenues exceeded expenses by $5 million; while in fourth quarter 2023, the Company’s marketing fund revenues exceeded expenses by $9 million, resulting in $4 million of marketing fund variability.
Full Year
Fee-related and other revenues grew 1% to $1.40 billion compared to $1.38 billion in full-year 2023, which included $18 million of pass-through revenues associated with the Company’s 2023 global franchisee conference, absent which, fee-related and other revenue increased 3%. This growth primarily reflects higher royalties and franchise fees and ancillary revenues.
The Company reported net income of $289 million, consistent with 2023, as higher adjusted EBITDA was offset by higher transaction-related expenses in connection with defending an unsuccessful hostile takeover attempt. Other items include higher interest expense, restructuring costs and an impairment charge, which were offset by a lower effective tax rate, the absence of foreign currency impacts from highly inflationary countries and a benefit from the reversal of a spin-off related matter.
Adjusted EBITDA grew 5% to $694 million compared to $659million in full-year 2023. This increase included a $10 million unfavorable impact, as expected, from marketing fund variability, excluding which adjusted EBITDA grew 7% on a comparable basis, primarily reflecting higher royalties and franchise fees, increased ancillary revenues and margin expansion.
Diluted earnings per share grew 6% to $3.61 compared to $3.41 in full-year 2023, which primarily reflects the benefit of a lower share count due to share repurchase activity.
Adjusted diluted EPS grew 8% to $4.33 compared to $4.01 in full-year 2023. This increase included an unfavorable impact of $0.09 per share, as expected, related to marketing fund variability (after estimated taxes). On a comparable basis, adjusted diluted EPS increased approximately 10% year-over-year reflecting comparable adjusted EBITDA growth and the benefit of share repurchase activity, partially offset by higher interest expense.
During full-year 2024, the Company’s marketing fund expenses exceeded revenues by $1 million; while in 2023, the Company’s marketing fund revenues exceeded expenses by $9 million, resulting in $10 million of marketing fund variability.
Full reconciliations of GAAP results to the Company’s non-GAAP adjusted measures for all reported periods appear in the tables to this press release.
Balance Sheet and Liquidity
The Company generated $290 million of net cash provided by operating activities and $397 million of adjusted free cash flow in full-year 2024. The Company ended the quarter with a cash balance of $103 million and approximately $765 million in total liquidity.
The Company’s net debt leverage ratio was 3.4 times at December 31, 2024, just below the midpoint of the Company’s 3 to 4 times stated target range and in line with expectations.
Share Repurchases and Dividends
During the fourth quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 0.3 million shares of its common stock for $23 million. For the full-year 2024, the Company repurchased approximately 4.1 million shares of its common stock for $308 million.
The Company paid common stock dividends of $30 million, or $0.38 per share, during the fourth quarter 2024 for a total of $122 million, or $1.52 per share, for the full-year 2024.
For the full-year 2024, the Company returned $430 million to shareholders through share repurchases and quarterly cash dividends.
The Company’s Board of Directors authorized an 8% increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.41 per share, beginning with the dividend expected to be declared in first quarter 2025.
Outlook
The Company provided the following outlook for full-year 2025:
The Company continues to expect marketing fund revenues to equal expenses during full-year 2025 though seasonality of spend will affect the quarterly comparisons throughout the year.
More detailed projections are available in Table 8 of this press release. The Company is providing certain financial metrics only on a non-GAAP basis because, without unreasonable efforts, it is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the occurrence or amount of all of the adjustments or other potential adjustments that may arise in the future during the forward-looking period, which can be dependent on future events that may not be reliably predicted. Based on past reported results, where one or more of these items have been applicable, such excluded items could be material, individually or in the aggregate, to the reported results.
Conference Call Information
Wyndham Hotels will hold a conference call with investors to discuss the Company’s results and outlook on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. ET. Listeners can access the webcast live through the Company’s website at https://investor.wyndhamhotels.com. The conference call may also be accessed by dialing 800 225-9448 and providing the passcode “Wyndham”. Listeners are urged to call at least five minutes prior to the scheduled start time. An archive of this webcast will be available on the website beginning at noon ET on February 13, 2025. A telephone replay will be available for approximately ten days beginning at noon ET on February 13, 2025 at 800 839-5127.
Presentation of Financial Information
Financial information discussed in this press release includes non-GAAP measures, which include or exclude certain items. These non-GAAP measures differ from reported GAAP results and are intended to illustrate what management believes are relevant period-over-period comparisons and are helpful to investors as an additional tool for further understanding and assessing the Company’s ongoing operating performance. The Company uses these measures internally to assess its operating performance, both absolutely and in comparison to other companies, and to make day to day operating decisions, including in the evaluation of selected compensation decisions. Exclusion of items in the Company’s non-GAAP presentation should not be considered an inference that these items are unusual, infrequent or non-recurring. Full reconciliations of GAAP results to the comparable non-GAAP measures for the reported periods appear in the financial tables section of this press release.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company by the number of franchised properties, with approximately 9,300 hotels across over 95 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 903,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 25 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, ECHO Suites®, Registry Collection Hotels®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers approximately 114 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit https://investor.wyndhamhotels.com. The Company may use its website and social media channels as means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Disclosures of this nature will be included on the Company’s website in the Investors section, which can currently be accessed at https://investor.wyndhamhotels.com or on the Company’s social media channels, including the Company’s LinkedIn account which can currently be accessed at https://www.linkedin.com/company/wyndhamhotels. Accordingly, investors should monitor this section of the Company’s website and the Company’s social media channels in addition to following the Company’s press releases, filings submitted with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any public conference calls or webcasts.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements related to Wyndham’s current views and expectations with respect to its future performance and operations, including revenues, earnings, cash flow and other financial and operating measures, share repurchases and dividends and restructuring charges. Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements of historical fact, including those that convey management’s expectations as to the future based on plans, estimates and projections at the time Wyndham makes the statements and may be identified by words such as “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “intend,” “goal,” “future,” “forward,” “remain,” “confident,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “target,” “objective,” “estimate,” “projection” and similar words or expressions, including the negative version of such words and expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Wyndham to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, general economic conditions, including inflation, higher interest rates and potential recessionary pressures; the performance of the financial and credit markets; the economic environment for the hospitality industry; operating risks associated with the hotel franchising business; Wyndham’s relationships with franchisees; the impact of war, terrorist activity, political instability or political strife, including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, respectively; global or regional health crises or pandemics including the resulting impact on Wyndham’s business, operations, financial results, cash flows and liquidity, as well as the impact on its franchisees, guests and team members, the hospitality industry and overall demand for and restrictions on travel; Wyndham’s ability to satisfy obligations and agreements under its outstanding indebtedness, including the payment of principal and interest and compliance with the covenants thereunder; risks related to Wyndham’s ability to obtain financing and the terms of such financing, including access to liquidity and capital; and Wyndham’s ability to make or pay, plans for and the timing and amount of any future share repurchases and/or dividends, as well as the risks described in Wyndham’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones Wyndham may face and additional risks may arise or become material in the future. Wyndham undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Partners since 2010, new long-term agreement maintains Barclays US Consumer Bank as exclusive issuer of Wyndham’s award-winning suite of co-brand credit cards
WILMINGTON, Del. (February 11, 2025) – Barclays US Consumer Bank, a leading credit card issuer and financial services partner, today announced the long-term renewal of its co-branded credit card program with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchisor with approximately 9,200 hotels across more than 95 countries.
Under the newly signed agreement, Barclays will continue to be the exclusive issuer of the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card, Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card, and Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card. The award-winning suite of cards—designed specifically for road trippers and road warriors—offers up to 8x earn on gas purchases and Wyndham hotel stays, up to 5x earn on marketing, advertising and utility purchases (Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card only) and up to 4x earn on restaurant and grocery purchases. Other benefits include Wyndham Rewards membership upgrades, booking discounts, anniversary bonuses and more.
“As champions of the everyday traveler, Wyndham is always looking for new ways to help our members stay engaged—both on the road and off,” said Kurt Albert, treasurer and head of financial partnerships and planning, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “Our suite of co-branded cards does just that, making it easy for members to earn points on their everyday spend. Best of all, every card is backed by the power of Barclays, ensuring exceptional service and support every step of the way.”
“We have a shared commitment to creating products that offer cardmembers great value and rewards that enhance their experiences with Wyndham,” said Doug Villone, head of cards and partnerships, Barclays US Consumer Bank. “This long-term contract extension reflects the successful partnership we’ve built and grown since 2010. For more than a decade, we’ve worked together to increase customer loyalty and engagement and look forward to building on this momentum in the years to come.”
Consistently recognized for its simplicity and generous rewards, Wyndham Rewards is the #1 rated hotel rewards program as named by both USA Today and U.S. News & World Report. Members—approximately 112 million enrolled around the world—earn a guaranteed 1,000 points with every qualified stay and can redeem for free nights starting at just 7,500 points. With more than 60,000 hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally, no other hotel rewards program is more generous or offers members more places to stay.
To apply or learn more about Wyndham’s co-branded credit card programs, visit Barclaycardus.com. Terms and conditions apply.
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About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with approximately 9,200 hotels across over 95 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 893,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 25 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers approximately 112 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit wyndhamhotels.com.
About Barclays US Consumer Bank
Barclays US Consumer Bank is a leading co-branded credit card issuer and financial services partner in the United States that creates highly customized programs to drive customer loyalty and engagement for some of the country’s most successful travel, entertainment, retail, and affinity institutions. The bank offers co-branded, small business and private label credit cards, installment loans, online savings accounts, and CDs. For more information, please visit BarclaysUS.com.
World’s largest hotel franchisor positioned for long-term success following a year of global expansion, new brand openings and numerous owner and guest investments
PARSIPPANY, N.J. (January 28, 2025) – Following a banner year capping multiple milestones and accomplishments, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is poised for continued growth and innovation in 2025. Chief among its priorities: complementing its strong foundation of economy and midscale brands with new upscale and lifestyle brands, while scaling technology and digital capabilities to deliver best-in-class experiences for hotel owners and guests.
“We navigated an unforgettable year in 2024, remaining steadfast in our ability to deliver for guests, owners and shareholders. From welcoming our 25th brand and expanding into new markets, to broadening our bench of aspirational hotels and generating new owner revenue streams via the industry’s best tech platform – 2024’s successes have both Wyndham and our franchisees well positioned for the years ahead.”
– Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
According to a recent McKinsey study, travel spending reached its highest level last year since 1960—driven by consumers’ shifting preferences for experiences over material goods. And it’s a trend poised to continue. The U.S. Travel Association projects travel spend to grow ~4% to $1.35 trillion in 2025, while recent Skift Research suggests global travel spend to increase by 9%. At the same time, the International Air Transport Association unveiled last month it expects global air travel to reach a record-breaking 5.2 billion passengers in 2025—up ~7% from 2024.
Driving Growth With recognizable brands spanning every segment of the industry, Wyndham saw continued global growth in 2024, adding a new brand, expanding its presence in key markets and building on its footprint in key segments like extended-stay. Among the highlights, the Company:
Opened its first ECHO Suites® Extended Stay by Wyndham hotels, reinforcing its position as the industry’s fastest-growing all new-construction brand. Early locations are seeing daily occupancy rates as high as 80% within weeks of opening. ECHO now makes up 14% of the Company’s development pipeline.
Expanded its offerings in the booming extended-stay segment with new upscale offerings, including the launch of WaterWalk Extended StaySM by Wyndham, its 25th brand, and the introduction of Wyndham Residences® in the U.S., a new tier within its namesake Wyndham® brand.
Strengthened its portfolio in key countries where it holds a significant presence, including the U.K., India, Türkiye and Mexico, while introducing 12 of its brands into a combined 22 new markets. The Company also announced an exclusive agreement to introduce its Microtel® brand in India, targeting 40 open hotels by 2031.
Joined forces with international lifestyle hospitality group, sbe, to introduce HQ Hotels & ResidencesSM, a new “smart lifestyle” brand affiliated with Registry Collection Hotels®. Focused on dining, nightlife and wellness, the brand opens its first hotel in Antigua this quarter: Hodges Bay Resort and Spa, a HQ Luxury Resort and Residences.
Tooled for Success Delivering on its OwnerFirst® approach to franchising, Wyndham further leveraged its unmatched size and scale in 2024 to provide franchisees with robust tools, solutions and innovative technology, helping them capture more business. Among the highlights, the Company:
Introduced Wyndham ConnectSM, helping hotels increase revenue and curate personalized guest experiences via AI-generated messaging, upsells, mobile check-in and check-out, mobile tipping and more. Approximately 2,000 of the Company’s hotels in North America are regularly engaging with the tool and seeing significant incremental revenue as a result.
Refreshed its Wyndham Business platform, anchored by the new Wyndham Rewards® Business, a B2B extension of Wyndham’s top-rated rewards program. Designed to simplify travel for business of all sizes, the re-imagined program offers rich savings and rewards, streamlined billing, membership upgrades, easy point management and more.
Created new opportunities for its BOLD® by Wyndham and Women Own the RoomSM members—promoting industry mentorship via Accelerator Circle and unlocking third-party financing solutions via investment firm Lafayette Square. Together, BOLD and Women Own the Room have resulted in more than 100 deals with nearly 40 hotels now open.
Championing the Everyday Traveler Further advancing its mission of making hotel travel possible for all, Wyndham continued championing the everyday traveler in 2024, launching new initiatives that further elevate the guest experience. Among the highlights, the Company:
Expanded its #1 ranked Wyndham Rewards program with new redemption offerings, bringing the total to more than 60,000 hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. No other major hotel rewards program offers members more places to redeem for stays.
Unveiled Wyndham Travel Packages, a one-stop-shop allowing Wyndham Rewards members to book and earn points on hotels, flights, car rentals, airport transfers, and even activities, all-in-one-go via WyndhamRewards.com.
Celebrated 50 Years of Super 8 with the debut of the brand’s new Innov8te 2.0 room design, a limited time consumer promotion and a special anniversary sweepstakes. Super 8 is one of the world’s largest economy hotel brands with over 2,600 locations.
Re-imagined its consumer marketing, leveraging top-tier creative partners to deliver campaigns that hit the right travelers at the right time with unmatched relevance, including the launch of the Company’s first-ever holiday campaign.
For more information about Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, including details on franchising opportunities, visit www.wyndhamdevelopment.com.
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About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with approximately 9,200 hotels across over 95 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 893,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 25 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers approximately 112 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit wyndhamhotels.com.
Forward Looking Statements This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements related to Wyndham’s current views and expectations with respect to future growth opportunities and strategies and travel trends. Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements of historical fact, including those that convey management’s expectations as to the future based on plans, estimates and projections at the time Wyndham makes the statements and may be identified by words such as “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “intend,” “goal,” “future,” “forward,” “remain,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “target,” “objective,” “estimate,” “projection” and similar words or expressions, including the negative version of such words and expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Wyndham to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, general economic conditions, including inflation, higher interest rates and potential recessionary pressures; global or regional health crises or pandemics including the resulting impact on Wyndham’s business, operations, financial results, cash flows and liquidity, as well as the impact on its franchisees, guests and team members, the hospitality industry and overall demand for and restrictions on travel; the performance of the financial and credit markets; the economic environment for the hospitality industry; operating risks associated with the hotel franchising business; Wyndham’s relationships with franchisees; the impact of war, terrorist activity, political instability or political strife, including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, respectively; Wyndham’s ability to satisfy obligations and agreements under its outstanding indebtedness, including the payment of principal and interest and compliance with the covenants thereunder; risks related to Wyndham’s ability to obtain financing and the terms of such financing, including access to liquidity and capital; and Wyndham’s ability to make or pay, plans for and the timing and amount of any future share repurchases and/or dividends, as well as the risks described in Wyndham’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones Wyndham may face and additional risks may arise or become material in the future. Wyndham undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by law.
We are deeply saddened by the crisis developing in California and our hearts go out to all those impacted by the California wildfires. Wyndham is proudly supporting American Red Cross relief efforts for the 2025 California Wildfire. Funds raised will help provide food, shelter, emotional support, and other critical aid to communities impacted by the fires.
The Company is enabling Wyndham Rewards® members to assist by donating their Wyndham Rewards points at WyndhamRewards.com. Wyndham will match up to 15 million Wyndham Rewards points through February 28, 2025.
If you are interested in donating Wyndham Rewards points to this important cause, please visit WyndhamRewards.com.
Company Raises Full-Year 2024 EPS Outlook and Reaffirms Remaining Outlook
Grows System Size by 4% and Development Pipeline by 5%
PARSIPPANY, N.J., October 23, 2024 – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) today announced results for the three months ended September 30, 2024. Highlights include:
System-wide rooms grew 4% year-over-year.
Opened over 17,000 rooms globally, including nearly 7,000 in the U.S., which increased 15% year-over-year, and the second ECHO Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham.
Awarded 197 development contracts globally, including 95 contracts in the U.S., which increased 10% year-over-year.
Development pipeline grew 1% sequentially and 5% year-over-year to a record 248,000 rooms.
Global RevPAR grew 1% in constant currency.
Ancillary revenues increased 8% compared to third quarter 2023.
Diluted earnings per share increased 7%, to $1.29, and adjusted diluted EPS grew 6%, to $1.39, or approximately 10% on a comparable basis.
Net income was $102 million for the third quarter, a 1% decrease over the prior-year quarter; adjusted net income was $110 million, a 1% decrease over the prior-year quarter, or a 3% increase on a comparable basis.
Adjusted EBITDA increased 4% compared with the prior-year quarter, to $208 million, or 7% on a comparable basis.
Returned $126 million to shareholders through $97 million of share repurchases and quarterly cash dividends of $0.38 per share.
“Our teams around the world once again delivered exceptional results, executing our long-term growth strategy and achieving 7% growth in comparable adjusted EBITDA fueled by continued system expansion, higher royalty rates and growth in our ancillary revenues,” said Geoff Ballotti, president and chief executive officer. “We awarded 10% more franchise contracts domestically this quarter, driving 5% growth in our development pipeline. Stabilizing RevPAR trends and improving comparisons coupled with increased infrastructure demand are expected to pave the way for improved results in the coming quarters. We remain steadfast in our long-term strategy, aimed at delivering outstanding value to our guests, franchisees and shareholders to whom we’ve returned nearly $380 million year-to-date in the form of dividends and share repurchases.”
System Size and Development
The Company’s global system grew 4%, reflecting 1% growth in the U.S. and 8% internationally. As expected, these increases included 3% growth in the higher RevPAR midscale and above segments in the U.S., as well as strong growth in the Company’s EMEA and Latin America regions, which each grew 11%. The Company continued to improve its retention rate and remains solidly on track to achieve its net room growth outlook of 3 to 4% for the full year 2024.
On September 30, 2024, the Company’s global development pipeline consisted of approximately 2,100 hotels and 248,000 rooms, representing another record-high level and a 5% year-over-year increase. Key highlights include:
7% growth in the U.S. and 3% internationally
17th consecutive quarter of sequential pipeline growth
Approximately 70% of the pipeline is in the midscale and above segments, which grew 6% year-over-year
Approximately 14% of the pipeline represents ECHO Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham for which the Company has awarded a total of 283 contracts since its launch.
Approximately 58% of the pipeline is international
Approximately 79% of the pipeline is new construction and approximately 35% of these projects have broken ground
During the third quarter of 2024, the Company awarded 197 new contracts, including 95 contracts in the U.S., which increased 10% year-over-year.
RevPAR
Third quarter global RevPAR increased 1% in constant currency compared to 2023, reflecting a 1% decline in the U.S. and 7% growth internationally.
In the U.S., RevPAR for the Company’s midscale and above segments was unchanged year-over-year while RevPAR for its economy segment declined 2% reflecting a modest acceleration from the second quarter with a sequential improvement of 10 basis points. Additionally, the Company’s U.S. economy brands continued to strengthen their position, gaining 50 basis points of market share in the third quarter driven by performance in oil and gas markets, which grew 250 basis points in the quarter, and in the five states with the highest infrastructure bill spend, which collectively grew 80 basis points. U.S. occupancy remained consistent, highlighting the resilience of the select-service space and consumer demand for these products.
Internationally, RevPAR for the Company’s EMEA, Latin America and Canada regions collectively increased 13% due to both continued pricing power, with ADR up 11%, and occupancy growth of 2%. RevPAR for the Company’s APAC region declined 7% driven by a 2% decrease in occupancy and a 5% decrease in ADR. Importantly, the third quarter RevPAR performance for APAC represented a 500 basis point sequential improvement.
Third Quarter Operating Results
Fee-related and other revenues were $394 million compared to $400 million in third quarter 2023, which included $18 million of pass-through revenues associated with the Company’s 2023 global franchisee conference, absent which, fee-related and other revenue increased 3%. The growth in fee-related and other revenues reflects higher royalties and franchise fees and ancillary revenues.
The Company generated net income of $102 million compared to $103 million in third quarter 2023. The decrease was primarily reflective of higher interest expense, partially offset by higher adjusted EBITDA.
Adjusted EBITDA grew 4% to $208 million compared to $200million in third quarter 2023. This increase included a $5 million unfavorable impact from marketing fund variability, excluding which adjusted EBITDA grew 7% on a comparable basis, primarily reflecting higher royalties and franchise fees, increased ancillary revenues and margin expansion.
Diluted earnings per share was $1.29 compared to $1.21 in third quarter 2023. This increase primarily reflects the benefit of a lower share count due to share repurchase activity.
Adjusted diluted EPS grew 6% to $1.39 compared to $1.31 in third quarter 2023. This increase included an unfavorable impact of $0.04 per share related to expected marketing fund variability (after estimated taxes). On a comparable basis, adjusted diluted EPS increased approximately 10% year-over-year reflecting comparable adjusted EBITDA growth and the benefit of share repurchase activity, partially offset by higher interest expense.
During third quarter 2024, the Company’s marketing fund revenues exceeded expenses by $12 million, in line with expectations; while in third quarter 2023, the Company’s marketing fund revenues exceeded expenses by $17 million, resulting in $5 million of marketing fund variability. The Company continues to expect marketing fund revenues to roughly equal expenses during full-year 2024.
Full reconciliations of GAAP results to the Company’s non-GAAP adjusted measures for all reported periods appear in the tables to this press release.
Balance Sheet and Liquidity
The Company generated $79 million of net cash provided by operating activities and $96 million of adjusted free cash flow in third quarter 2024. The Company ended the quarter with a cash balance of $72 million and approximately $750 million in total liquidity.
The Company’s net debt leverage ratio was 3.5 times at September 30, 2024, the midpoint of the Company’s 3 to 4 times stated target range.
During the third quarter of 2024, the Company executed $350 million of new interest rate swaps on its Term Loan B Facility, which will expire in 2028. The fixed rate of the new swaps is 3.3%. As a result, the Company ended the third quarter with approximately 80% of its total debt at a fixed rate and 20% variable.
Share Repurchases and Dividends
During the third quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 1.3 million shares of its common stock for $97 million. Year-to-date through September 30, the Company repurchased approximately 3.8 million shares of its common stock for $285 million.
The Company paid common stock dividends of $29 million, or $0.38 per share, during the third quarter 2024 and $92 million, or $1.14 per share, year-to-date.
Full-Year 2024 Outlook
The Company is refining its outlook as follows:
Year-over-year growth rates for adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS are not comparable due to full-year 2023 marketing fund revenues exceeding expenses by $9 million, which substantially completed the recovery of the $49 million support the Company provided to its owners during COVID. The Company continues to expect marketing fund revenues to equal expenses during full-year 2024 though seasonality of spend will affect the quarterly comparisons throughout the year.
More detailed projections are available in Table 8 of this press release. The Company is providing certain financial metrics only on a non-GAAP basis because, without unreasonable efforts, it is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the occurrence or amount of all of the adjustments or other potential adjustments that may arise in the future during the forward-looking period, which can be dependent on future events that may not be reliably predicted. Based on past reported results, where one or more of these items have been applicable, such excluded items could be material, individually or in the aggregate, to the reported results.
Conference Call Information
Wyndham Hotels will hold a conference call with investors to discuss the Company’s results and outlook on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET. Listeners can access the webcast live through the Company’s website at https://investor.wyndhamhotels.com. The conference call may also be accessed by dialing 800 579-2543 and providing the passcode “Wyndham”. Listeners are urged to call at least five minutes prior to the scheduled start time. An archive of this webcast will be available on the website beginning at noon ET on October 24, 2024. A telephone replay will be available for approximately ten days beginning at noon ET on October 24, 2024 at 800 695-0715.
Presentation of Financial Information
Financial information discussed in this press release includes non-GAAP measures, which include or exclude certain items. These non-GAAP measures differ from reported GAAP results and are intended to illustrate what management believes are relevant period-over-period comparisons and are helpful to investors as an additional tool for further understanding and assessing the Company’s ongoing operating performance. The Company uses these measures internally to assess its operating performance, both absolutely and in comparison to other companies, and to make day to day operating decisions, including in the evaluation of selected compensation decisions. Exclusion of items in the Company’s non-GAAP presentation should not be considered an inference that these items are unusual, infrequent or non-recurring. Full reconciliations of GAAP results to the comparable non-GAAP measures for the reported periods appear in the financial tables section of this press release.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with approximately 9,200 hotels across over 95 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 893,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 25 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers approximately 112 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit https://investor.wyndhamhotels.com. The Company may use its website and social media channels as means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Disclosures of this nature will be included on the Company’s website in the Investors section, which can currently be accessed at https://investor.wyndhamhotels.com or on the Company’s social media channels, including the Company’s LinkedIn account which can currently be accessed at https://www.linkedin.com/company/wyndhamhotels. Accordingly, investors should monitor this section of the Company’s website and the Company’s social media channels in addition to following the Company’s press releases, filings submitted with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any public conference calls or webcasts.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements related to Wyndham’s current views and expectations with respect to its future performance and operations, including revenues, earnings, cash flow and other financial and operating measures, share repurchases and dividends and restructuring charges. Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements of historical fact, including those that convey management’s expectations as to the future based on plans, estimates and projections at the time Wyndham makes the statements and may be identified by words such as “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “intend,” “goal,” “future,” “forward,” “remain,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “target,” “objective,” “estimate,” “projection” and similar words or expressions, including the negative version of such words and expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Wyndham to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, general economic conditions, including inflation, higher interest rates and potential recessionary pressures; global or regional health crises or pandemics including the resulting impact on Wyndham’s business, operations, financial results, cash flows and liquidity, as well as the impact on its franchisees, guests and team members, the hospitality industry and overall demand for and restrictions on travel; the performance of the financial and credit markets; the economic environment for the hospitality industry; operating risks associated with the hotel franchising business; Wyndham’s relationships with franchisees; the impact of war, terrorist activity, political instability or political strife, including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, respectively; Wyndham’s ability to satisfy obligations and agreements under its outstanding indebtedness, including the payment of principal and interest and compliance with the covenants thereunder; risks related to Wyndham’s ability to obtain financing and the terms of such financing, including access to liquidity and capital; and Wyndham’s ability to make or pay, plans for and the timing and amount of any future share repurchases and/or dividends, as well as the risks described in Wyndham’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones Wyndham may face and additional risks may arise or become material in the future. Wyndham undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Exclusive development agreement with NILE Hospitality LLP targets 40 hotels open by 2031, fuelled by increased inbound and domestic tourism
LONDON (17 October 2024) – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has signed an exclusive development agreement with NILE Hospitality LLP to introduce its Microtel by Wyndham brand to India, marking the eighth Wyndham brand to debut in the country. This strategic alliance enables Wyndham to leverage a leading regional third-party developer and operator to bring its award-winning brand to India.
With Wyndham’s global presence and NILE’s expertise across India, the Company anticipates opening 40 Microtel hotels by 2031, all of which will be direct franchisees of Wyndham, as part of its ambitious and robust growth strategy. The agreement underscores the Company’s commitment to expanding in one of the world’s most dynamic growing hospitality markets, where it currently has 60 hotels open throughout India and expects to grow by at least 25% in the next 18 months.
A pioneer in efficiency, Microtel by Wyndham is known for its modern design, exceptional service and value-driven guest experiences, making it one of the most trusted names in the economy hotel segment. Wyndham’s agreement with NILE will see development of the brand in key Tier II, III and IV cities, in line with India’s infrastructure development cycle, with the first hotels opening in 2025. Each will have a minimum of 50 keys and feature meeting and social spaces, gyms and other facilities based on the needs of the region.
“We continue to see incredible opportunity in India, which is why we’re focusing our strategic efforts on introducing more of our diverse brands to the country. Microtel is an ideal example of a brand that can be purpose-built for the market and with the continued collaboration with trusted partners like NILE Hospitality, we can quickly scale to meet growing demand.”
– Dimitris Manikis, President EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
“Wyndham is a proven partner for NILE and this is just the latest chapter in our combined growth story as we aim to collectively tap into India’s rapidly expanding economy lodging segment. By introducing Microtel, we’ll be able to propel development in a robust domestic market while further tapping into the scale and resources of the world’s largest hotel franchisor. It’s an ideal match and reflection of our shared ambition to grow and build together.”
– Vikram Singh Chauhan, Founder and CEO, NILE Hospitality LLP
The Wyndham Advantage
Wyndham franchisees throughout the EMEA region benefit from the Wyndham Advantage—a combination of world-class marketing, distribution and other resources designed to put owners on the path to success. Inclusive of nearly $325 million in innovative technology investments over the past six years, owners have access to best-in-class technology from industry-leading providers, including next-gen property management systems, as well as a growing member base of approximately 110 million enrolled Wyndham Rewards members who make up more than a third of all check-ins globally.
Wyndham Rewards is the number one hotel rewards program, as named by both USA Today and U.S. News and World Report, with more than 60,000 hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals. Wyndham Rewards is the only hotel loyalty program where members earn a guaranteed 1,000 points with every qualified stay. Members can easily redeem points towards free nights at tens of thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals around the world or a host of other rewards like tours, activities, gift cards, shopping and more. Offering three simple redemption tiers, free nights start at just 7,500 points per bedroom per night, while discounted nights start at just 1,500 points per bedroom per night.
For more information on franchising opportunities with Wyndham, visit whrdevelopmentemea.com.
Images associated with this release can be downloaded here.
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About Microtel by Wyndham Microtel® by Wyndham is an award-winning chain of more than 360 economy hotels located throughout North America, Asia and New Zealand. Consistently over-delivering on both guest and owner expectations, Microtel ranks best-in-class by organizations like The Harris Poll®. Microtel’s rich award-recognized heritage is backed by 18 J.D. Power honors – the most of any hotel brand in the economy segment. Microtel prides itself on being an innovator, offering a midscale experience at an economy price with an array of complimentary amenities including free Wi-Fi and continental breakfast. Other amenities available at most hotels include meeting and fitness centers, swimming pools and the opportunity to earn and redeem points through Wyndham Rewards®, the brand’s guest loyalty program. Travelers can join the program for free at www.wyndhamrewards.com.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with approximately 9,200 hotels across over 95 countries on six continents. Through its network of nearly 885,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 25 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers approximately 110 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit wyndhamhotels.com.
About NILE Hospitality LLP
NILE Hospitality, founded in 2018, is a leading hotel management and development company in South Asia. Our unique understanding of Indian region’s hospitality business distinguishes us as a leader in service, performance and quality. Our reputation for consistently delivering outstanding results to our owners and upholding brand positioning of our hotels make us the preferred partners of Hotel Management in the sub-continent. Our dynamic team comes with an experience of leading international hotel brands in all phases of hotel operations, sales and marketing and development.
Our vision is to ensure that our every guest is seen, heard and met at our hotels and return home with memories of exceptional hospitality.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements related to Wyndham’s current views and expectations with respect to expected hotel openings and the timing thereof. Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements of historical fact, including those that convey management’s expectations as to the future based on plans, estimates and projections at the time Wyndham makes the statements and may be identified by words such as “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “intend,” “goal,” “future,” “forward,” “remain,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “target,” “objective,” “estimate,” “projection” and similar words or expressions, including the negative version of such words and expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Wyndham to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, general economic conditions, including inflation, higher interest rates and potential recessionary pressures; global or regional health crises or pandemics (such as the COVID-19 pandemic) including the resulting impact on Wyndham’s business, operations, financial results, cash flows and liquidity, as well as the impact on its franchisees, guests and team members, the hospitality industry and overall demand for and restrictions on travel; the performance of the financial and credit markets; the economic environment for the hospitality industry; operating risks associated with the hotel franchising business; Wyndham’s relationships with franchisees; the impact of war, terrorist activity, political instability or political strife, including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas, respectively; Wyndham’s ability to satisfy obligations and agreements under its outstanding indebtedness, including the payment of principal and interest and compliance with the covenants thereunder; risks related to Wyndham’s ability to obtain financing and the terms of such financing, including access to liquidity and capital; and Wyndham’s ability to make or pay, plans for and the timing and amount of any future share repurchases and/or dividends, as well as the risks described in Wyndham’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones Wyndham may face and additional risks may arise or become material in the future. Wyndham undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Company Grows Development Pipeline by 7% and System Size by 4%
PARSIPPANY, N.J (July 24, 2024) – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) today announced results for the three months ended June 30, 2024. Highlights include:
Global RevPAR grew 2% in constant currency.
System-wide rooms grew 4% year-over-year.
Opened over 18,000 rooms globally, including over 7,000 in the S., which represented a year- over-year increase of 16%, and the first ECHO Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham.
Awarded 180 development contracts globally, including 96 contracts in the S., which represented an increase of 33% year-over-year.
Development pipeline grew 1% sequentially and 7% year-over-year to a record 245,000 rooms.
Ancillary revenues increased 6% compared to second quarter 2023.
Diluted earnings per share increased 30%, to $1.07, and adjusted diluted EPS grew 22%, to $1.13, or 12% on a comparable basis.
Net income was $86 million for the second quarter, a 23% increase over the prior-year quarter; adjusted net income was $91 million, a 14% increase over the prior-year quarter.
Adjusted EBITDA increased 13% compared with the prior-year quarter, to $178 million, or 6% on a comparable basis.
Returned $162 million to shareholders through $131 million of share repurchases and quarterly cash dividends of $0.38 per share.
Successfully completed the repricing of its Term Loan B Facility, reducing its interest rate by 60 basis points to SOFR plus 1.75%, and upsizing the facility by $400 million.
“The resilience and highly cash generative nature of our business model was once again on full display this quarter,” said Geoff Ballotti, president and chief executive officer. “Amid a normalizing domestic RevPAR environment, we delivered strong adjusted EBITDA driven by net room and ancillary fee growth. We awarded 33% more hotel contracts domestically which grew our development pipeline to a record 245,000 rooms, and drove significant increases in our U.S, international and global royalty rates. Year-to-date, we’ve returned over $250 million to shareholders, representing 4% of our beginning market capitalization this year.”
System Size and Development
The Company’s global system grew 4%, reflecting 1% growth in the U.S. and 8% internationally. As expected, these increases included 3% growth in the higher RevPAR midscale and above segments in the U.S., as well as strong growth in the Company’s two highest international RevPAR regions, EMEA and Latin America, which grew 12% and 11%, respectively. The Company continued to improve its retention rate and remains solidly on track to achieve its net room growth outlook of 3 to 4% for the full year 2024.
On June 30, 2024, the Company’s global development pipeline consisted of approximately 2,000 hotels and 245,000 rooms, representing another record-high level and a 7% year-over-year increase. Key highlights include:
5% growth in the S. and 9% internationally
16th consecutive quarter of sequential pipeline growth
Approximately 70% of the pipeline is in the midscale and above segments, which grew 4% year-over- year
Approximately 14% of the pipeline represents ECHO Suites Extended Stay by
Approximately 58% of the pipeline is international
Approximately 79% of the pipeline is new construction, of which approximately 35% has broken ground
During the second quarter of 2024, the Company awarded 180 new contracts, including 96 contracts in the U.S., which represented an increase of 33% year-over-year.
RevPAR
Second quarter global RevPAR increased 2% in constant currency compared to 2023, reflecting flat growth in the U.S. and 7% growth internationally.
In the U.S., the Company’s midscale and above segments grew RevPAR 2% year-over-year while RevPAR for its economy segment declined 2%. Overall, U.S. RevPAR results were driven by growth of 90 basis points in occupancy, partially offset by a decline of 50 basis points in ADR. Importantly, RevPAR growth in the U.S. accelerated during the second quarter, improving 520 basis points sequentially, including an improvement of 560 basis points for its U.S. economy brands.
Compared to 2019, which neutralizes the impact of COVID recovery timing, the Company grew RevPAR for its economy and midscale brands by 9% and 8%, respectively, while RevPAR for its upscale and above brands continued to lag 2019 by 2%.
Internationally, RevPAR for the Company’s Latin America, EMEA and Canada regions collectively increased 15% due to both continued pricing power, with ADR up 13%, and occupancy growth of 2%. RevPAR for the Company’s APAC region declined 12% primarily due to a difficult year-over-year comparison resulting from that region’s COVID recovery timing in second quarter 2023. APAC occupancy declined 7% and ADR declined 5%.
Compared to 2019, which neutralizes the impact of COVID recovery timing, the Company more than doubled the RevPAR for its Latin America, EMEA and Canada regions, while RevPAR for its APAC region continued to lag 2019 by 11%.
Second Quarter Operating Results
Fee-related and other revenues were $366 million compared to $358 million in second quarter 2023, reflecting global net room growth of 4% and a 6% increase in ancillary revenue streams, partially offset by a $3 million decline in management fees, in part due to the exit of the Company’s S. management business.
The Company generated net income of $86 million compared to $70 million in second quarter The increase was primarily reflective of higher adjusted EBITDA, a benefit in connection with the reversal of a spin-off related matter and a lower effective tax rate, partially offset by higher interest expense and restructuring costs.
Adjusted EBITDA grew 13% to $178 million compared to $158 million in second quarter 2023. This increase included a $10 million favorable impact from marketing fund variability, excluding which adjusted EBITDA grew 6% primarily reflecting higher fee-related and other revenues, disciplined cost management given the recent RevPAR environment as well as a benefit from insurance recoveries.
Diluted earnings per share was $1.07 compared to $0.82 in second quarter 2023. This increase reflects higher net income and the benefit of a lower share count due to share repurchase activity.
Adjusted diluted EPS grew 22% to $1.13 compared to $0.93 in second quarter 2023. This increase included $0.09 per share related to expected marketing fund variability (after estimated taxes). On a comparable basis, adjusted diluted EPS increased 12% year-over-year reflecting comparable adjusted EBITDA growth and the benefit of share repurchase activity partially offset by higher interest expense.
During second quarter 2024, the Company’s marketing fund expenses exceeded revenues by $5 million, in line with expectations; while in second quarter 2023, the Company’s marketing fund expenses exceeded revenues by $15 million, resulting in $10 million of marketing fund The Company continues to expect marketing fund revenues to equal expenses during full-year 2024.
Full reconciliations of GAAP results to the Company’s non-GAAP adjusted measures for all reported periods appear in the tables to this press release.
Balance Sheet and Liquidity The Company generated $1 million of net cash provided by operating activities (inclusive of $42 million of payments related to the Company’s successful defense of a hostile takeover attempt) and generated adjusted free cash flow of $69 million in second quarter 2024. The Company ended the quarter with a cash balance of
$70 million and approximately $820 million in total liquidity.
The Company’s net debt leverage ratio was 3.5 times at June 30, 2024, the midpoint of the Company’s 3 to 4 times stated target range.
In May 2024, the Company successfully repriced and upsized its outstanding Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility (“Prior Term Loan B”). The new Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility (“New Term Loan B”) has an outstanding principal balance of $1.5 billion, which includes an upsize of $400 million. The facility has an interest rate of SOFR plus 1.75%, representing a 60 basis point reduction to the Prior Term Loan B.
Share Repurchases and Dividends During the second quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 1.8 million shares of its common stock for $131 million. Year-to-date through June 30, the Company repurchased approximately 2.6 million shares of its common stock for $188 million.
The Company paid common stock dividends of $31 million, or $0.38 per share, during the second quarter 2024 and $63 million, or $0.76 per share, year-to-date.
The reduction in RevPAR and fee-related and other revenues reflects a more moderated RevPAR acceleration than previously anticipated. The reduction in adjusted net income represents an increase in interest expense due to the upsizing of the Company’s term loan B. This impact was more than offset in adjusted diluted EPS by second quarter share repurchase activity.
Year-over-year growth rates for adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS are not comparable due to full-year 2023 marketing fund revenues exceeding expenses by $9 million, which substantially completed the recovery of the $49 million support the Company provided to its owners during COVID. The Company continues to expect marketing fund revenues to equal expenses during full-year 2024 though seasonality of spend will affect the quarterly comparisons throughout the year.
More detailed projections are available in Table 8 of this press release. The Company is providing certain financial metrics only on a non-GAAP basis because, without unreasonable efforts, it is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the occurrence or amount of all of the adjustments or other potential adjustments that may arise in the future during the forward-looking period, which can be dependent on future events that may not be reliably predicted. Based on past reported results, where one or more of these items have been applicable, such excluded items could be material, individually or in the aggregate, to the reported results.
Conference Call Information Wyndham Hotels will hold a conference call with investors to discuss the Company’s results and outlook on Thursday, July 25, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET. Listeners can access the webcast live through the Company’s website at https://investor.wyndhamhotels.com. The conference call may also be accessed by dialing 800 245-3047 and providing the passcode “Wyndham”. Listeners are urged to call at least five minutes prior to the scheduled start time. An archive of this webcast will be available on the website beginning at noon ET on July 25, 2024. A telephone replay will be available for approximately ten days beginning at noon ET on July 25, 2024 at 800 757-4764.
Presentation of Financial Information Financial information discussed in this press release includes non-GAAP measures, which include or exclude certain items. These non-GAAP measures differ from reported GAAP results and are intended to illustrate what management believes are relevant period-over-period comparisons and are helpful to investors as an additional tool for further understanding and assessing the Company’s ongoing operating performance. The Company uses these measures internally to assess its operating performance, both absolutely and in comparison to other companies, and to make day to day operating decisions, including in the evaluation of selected compensation decisions. Exclusion of items in the Company’s non-GAAP presentation should not be considered an inference that these items are unusual, infrequent or non-recurring. Full reconciliations of GAAP results to the comparable non-GAAP measures for the reported periods appear in the financial tables section of this press release.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with approximately 9,200 hotels across over 95 countries on six continents. Through its network of nearly 885,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 25 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers approximately 110 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit https://investor.wyndhamhotels.com. The Company may use its website and social media channels as means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Disclosures of this nature will be included on the Company’s website in the Investors section, which can currently be accessed at https://investor.wyndhamhotels.com or on the Company’s social media channels, including the Company’s LinkedIn account which can currently be accessed at https://www.linkedin.com/company/wyndhamhotels. Accordingly, investors should monitor this section of the Company’s website and the Company’s social media channels in addition to following the Company’s press releases, filings submitted with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any public conference calls or webcasts.
Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements related to Wyndham’s current views and expectations with respect to its future performance and operations, including revenues, earnings, cash flow and other financial and operating measures, share repurchases and dividends and restructuring charges. Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements of historical fact, including those that convey management’s expectations as to the future based on plans, estimates and projections at the time Wyndham makes the statements and may be identified by words such as “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “intend,” “goal,” “future,” “forward,” “remain,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “target,” “objective,” “estimate,” “projection” and similar words or expressions, including the negative version of such words and expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Wyndham to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, general economic conditions, including inflation, higher interest rates and potential recessionary pressures; global or regional health crises or pandemics (such as the COVID-19 pandemic) including the resulting impact on Wyndham’s business, operations, financial results, cash flows and liquidity, as well as the impact on its franchisees, guests and team members, the hospitality industry and overall demand for and restrictions on travel; the performance of the financial and credit markets; the economic environment for the hospitality industry; operating risks associated with the hotel franchising business; Wyndham’s relationships with franchisees; the impact of war, terrorist activity, political instability or political strife, including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas, respectively; Wyndham’s ability to satisfy obligations and agreements under its outstanding indebtedness, including the payment of principal and interest and compliance with the covenants thereunder; risks related to Wyndham’s ability to obtain financing and the terms of such financing, including access to liquidity and capital; and Wyndham’s ability to make or pay, plans for and the timing and amount of any future share repurchases and/or dividends, as well as the risks described in Wyndham’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones Wyndham may face and additional risks may arise or become material in the future. Wyndham undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward- looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Wyndham Connect℠ is designed to help owners increase revenue and curate personalized experiences for guests; now available in North America
PARSIPPANY, N.J. (July 1, 2024) – Owners looking to boost revenue, elevate their service to guests and make their day-to-day operations run more seamlessly can now take advantage of Wyndham Connect℠ in North America. First announced at its 2023 Global Conference, Wyndham’s new guest engagement platform powered by Canary Technologies comes at no additional cost to owners.
Designed to enhance the guest experience through a series of best-in-class, mobile-centric tools, Wyndham Connect leverages one of the most substantial AI-driven large language models, allowing owners to cater to modern travelers and their evolving needs. Today, nearly 2,000 hotels in North America have started using Wyndham Connect, leveraging its benefits to drive value and help support their bottom lines.
“We always put our franchisees first, and investing in innovative technology like AI sets them apart from the competition. With access to powerful solutions like Wyndham Connect, our franchisees can manage their businesses more efficiently and curate guest experiences to help make stays more meaningful than ever. The result? Happier guests, higher chances for repeat business and money in franchisees’ pockets.”
– Scott Strickland, Chief Commercial Officer, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Enhancing Experiences, Enhancing Business Last year, hotels across all Wyndham brands globally with Overall Social Review (OSR) scores above 4.0, on average, saw twice as much RevPAR growth compared to those with lower scores. Designed to increase profitability by leveraging technology to streamline owner operations, the rollout of Wyndham Connect helps owners keep guests more engaged than ever by personalizing their experience.
Whether it’s leveraging AI to respond to 80% of common guest messages like directions to the airport shuttle or helping guests to plan for a late departure, Wyndham Connect enhances the guest experience while giving staff time back to focus on other key areas of day-to-day operations. Key benefits of Wyndham Connect include:
Messaging that Matters: Allows staff to use AI-generated messaging to help respond to guests via text message with ease and speed before, during and after their stay.
Smart Mobile Check-In: Speeds up the check-in process for both guests and front desk agents, helping to verify guest information in advance and protect hotels from chargebacks.
Effortless Upsell: From early check-in, late check-out and personalized upgrades, hotels can generate incremental revenue while making each stay personal and memorable for guests.
Smart Mobile Check-Out: Provides a faster, contactless check-out experience for guests, while helping alert front desk agents and housekeeping staff when guest rooms are available.
Boosting Online Reviews: Encourages guests to complete surveys via text message following their stay, helping hotels improve the chances of receiving positive online reviews while addressing guest concerns more quickly.
Integrated Mobile Tipping: Allows guests to easily leave housekeeping tips, in an age when carrying cash is less common. The benefit? Based on all Wyndham hotels that have adopted the digital solution, the average tip is more than $10.
“I do business with Wyndham because they invest in my success. With industry-leading property and revenue management services and access to technology like Wyndham Connect, I’m building relationships with my guests and its translating to hundreds of dollars a week that I’d otherwise miss out on.”
– Ajit Patel, Wyndham Franchisee
Unleashing the Power of AI The rollout of Wyndham’s guest engagement platform is part of the Company’s broader approach to technology. Over the last six years, Wyndham has invested nearly $325 million delivering industry-first sales, marketing and digital innovations—all part of The Wyndham Advantage—to elevate the owner and guest experience.
Strategically embracing AI and allowing for innovation to revolutionize its operations has been a key focus area for Wyndham to support owners, guests and team members. From implementing AI to advance how Wyndham engages with guests to enabling team members to tackle day-to-day tasks like transcribing meeting notes during virtual meetings, Wyndham has taken a purposeful approach to drive efficiency, productivity and enhanced experiences for team members, owners and guests. Some highlights include:
Tech-Forward Call Centers: From real time coaching prompting agents to speak slower to reminders of procedures in place to find solutions quicker, Wyndham call centers are embracing AI. This also includes the adoption of conversational AI to answer calls on behalf of agents and summarize cases, ultimately giving them time back to serve more guests and serve them better.
Effective Guest Service: With an easy-to-access chatbot within the mobile app, Wyndham can service its guests and loyal Wyndham Rewards members by answering about 60% of common questions—giving guests a better experience and customer care and call center team members time back to focus on high-priority cases. Missing Wyndham Rewards points? Wyndham chatbots can quickly validate members and their stays and award their points promptly in the chat—a process that could have taken days previously.
Easy Owner Solutions: As part of its owner engagement platform, Wyndham Community, the Company is leaning into AI to quickly address owner needs. Whether it’s an inquiry on brand standards or a question about a folio, Wyndham has incorporated natural language AI into its systems to get answers to owners faster—allowing them to focus in on what matters most, their business and their guests.
Streamlined Operations: Wyndham is leaning into AI to analyze and forecast opportunities related to rate and occupancy optimization, sales leads and more to help owners maintain a competitive edge and maximize their revenue. What previously could have taken hours for team members and owners to sift through is now more readily available than ever, leading to more fruitful conversations, more strategic decisions and actionable solutions to elevate owners’ businesses.
For more information about Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, including franchising opportunities, visit www.wyndhamdevelopment.com.
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About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with approximately 9,200 hotels across over 95 countries on six continents. Through its network of over 876,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 25 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers approximately 108 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.
Real estate and hospitality veteran to lead Wyndham’s accelerating growth strategy
PARSIPPANY, N.J. (May 17, 2024) – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) appointed Amit Sripathi Chief Development Officer reporting to the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Ballotti. Sripathi will lead Wyndham’s North American franchise sales team as they help hotel owners tap into the power of the world’s largest hotel franchise company and its iconic brands.
“Amit’s deep experience in mergers & acquisitions and capital markets focused on the real estate and hospitality sectors at Deutsche Bank and RLJ Lodging are instrumental as we increase our focus on growing our midscale-and-above portfolio while reinforcing our leading position in the resilient select-service segments,” said Ballotti. “Since joining Wyndham, Amit has demonstrated a strategic approach to growth. He’s helped divest our owned and managed segments leading to a pure-play U.S. franchise business and worked with our sales teams across the country and around the world deploying over $250 million in development support for our owners. He hits the ground running, knowing what our franchise sales teams need to continue outperforming expectations.”
“With 15 consecutive quarters of organic net room growth and our largest development pipeline ever, it’s clear that existing and prospective franchisees appreciate Wyndham’s market-share leading brands and the world-class sales, marketing and distribution systems curated for their individual needs,” said Sripathi. “Together with the best franchise sales team Wyndham has ever assembled, we will help even more owners discover the power of partnering with Wyndham and experiencing our Owner-FirstSM approach.”
After a successful career, which began at Wyndham’s predecessor company, Hospitality Franchise Systems, Chip Ohlsson, Chief Development Officer, will be leaving the Company in June. During his tenure, Chip helped expand the Wyndham portfolio from 14 to 25 brands including ECHO Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham, the industry’s fastest-growing, new-construction brand launch. A champion for diversity on the franchise sales team and for owners, Chip was instrumental in creating groundbreaking programs like Women Own the RoomSM (an industry first) and BOLD SM by Wyndham, which help make our industry more diverse while bringing new owners into the Wyndham family.
“From launching his sales career with us in 1993, to returning nearly ten years ago to lead our North America franchise sales teams, Chip has shown unwavering commitment to Wyndham and our franchisees,” said Ballotti. “We are extremely grateful for his proven leadership and ability to attract, promote and develop a best-in-class sales team that consistently delivers, and we wish him all the best.”
Images associated with the above release can be downloaded here.
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About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with approximately 9,200 hotels across over 95 countries on six continents. Through its network of over 876,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 25 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers approximately 108 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.
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