Experience economy drives resort investment appeal globally

Buoyed by the rise of experience-driven travel and an affinity toward locally-inspired hotel offerings, resort assets remain a top target among investors. According to JLL Hotels & Hospitality’s Global Resort Report: Three-Part Series (“Global Resorts”), international tourist arrivals are anticipated to reach 2.2 billion in 2019, with a continued growth trajectory throughout the next decade, which will benefit resorts globally.

“Over the past five years, resorts have been star performers,” says Lauro Ferroni, Global Head of JLL Hotels & Hospitality Research. “Given many consumers’ propensity for experiences over material goods, we anticipate continued investment activity in this sector globally.”

In the Americas, resort sales accounted for 20% of all hotel sales, while Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and Asia-Pacific’s resort sales totaled 7% of all hotel sales. Across all regions, private equity funds emerged as resorts dominant buyer, accounting for 20-50% of annual resort transaction volume in each market.

Global Resorts analyzes total resort supply and total transaction volume across select markets in the Americas, EMEA and Asia-Pacific. Properties evaluated feature typical resort amenities such as a spa, pool and other leisure facilities.

Phuket, Thailand

Phuket is one of the three hotel investment markets in Asia Pacific that have been highlighted in JLL’s global report.

The island saw a total of USD148 million (approx. THB4.85 billion) of resorts sold between 2014 and the first half of 2019. Half of these resorts achieved a transacted price at above USD29 million (THB950 million). According to JLL’s report, investment activity over the period was dominated by foreign investors whose acquisitions accounted for 79% of the total investment volume, with the largest inbound capital coming from Singapore (58%). Findings from JLL also indicate that developers were the most acquisitive group, accounting for over 65% of total transaction volume on the island, followed by hotel operators at 20%.

Strong growth in tourism has contributed greatly to Phuket’s appeal as a hospitality investment destination.  Total overnight visitors to the island have grown steadily over the past decade (2008 to 2018), with international and domestic visitation registering a CAGR of 10.9% and 9.9%, respectively. International overnight visitors accounted for 72.7% of total arrivals.

Pitinut Pupatwibul, Senior Vice President - Strategic Advisory, JLL's Hotels and Hospitality Group, says “In 2019, the number of international visitors to Phuket is likely to taper off slightly due primarily to surging Thai Baht and unfavourable global economic conditions. However, investors have continued to show keen interest in acquiring quality resort assets in Phuket as they remain confident in the long term outlook for the tourism market of one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations.”

“In addition, increased air connectivity, lower barriers of entry through visa fee waivers and limited future supply are expected to bode well for Phuket’s resort segment in the medium to long term,” she adds.

JLL’s Global Resort Report covers resort assets that are managed to meet industry standards by international or local resort/hotel operators, and excludes condotels. According to JLL’s Hotels and Hospitality Group, the total stock of resorts in Phuket stood at 14,300 rooms at the end of June 2019. An estimated 540 resort rooms are planned for completion between the second half of 2019 and the end of 2021, accounting for less than 4% of the existing stock.