Top 10 Hotel Owners and Operators in Australia and New Zealand 2025: Meriton Leads, Accor Dominates Operators, Industry Sentiment Remains Optimistic Despite Growth Moderation.

CBRE's Top 10 Hotel Owners and Operators Report for Australia and New Zealand reveals that Meriton retains the top spot with 6,211 rooms, while Millennium and Copthorne advanced to 7th position. Accor remains the dominant operator, managing 65,075 rooms. The report also highlights industry sentiment, with 82% of executives expressing a "somewhat optimistic" outlook for the second half of 2025 and into 2026. Sydney and Brisbane are expected to lead growth markets, with luxury, extended stay, and business hotels expected to drive segment growth.

CBRE's latest report on the top hotel owners and operators in Australia and New Zealand offers valuable insights into the current state and future prospects of the hospitality industry. According to the report, Meriton remains the top player with 6,211 rooms, while Millennium and Copthorne have advanced to 7th position. Accor, a dominant operator, manages a substantial 65,075 rooms, reflecting its significant presence in the market.

The report also highlights industry sentiment, with 82% of executives expressing a "somewhat optimistic" outlook for the second half of 2025 and into 2026. This optimism is driven by several factors, including the expected growth in Sydney and Brisbane, which are anticipated to lead the market. Luxury, extended stay, and business hotels are expected to be the primary drivers of segment growth.

The report's findings align with broader industry trends observed over the past decade. Major hotel companies have added brands at a 7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), but since 2019, the addition of brands has not necessarily resulted in stronger RevPAR performance [1]. This suggests that while brand proliferation may drive loyalty member growth, it does not necessarily correlate with faster RevPAR growth within the same brand family. The widening gap between the best- and worst-performing brands underscores the importance of selecting the right brand for long-term investment returns.

The upper-midscale segment has consistently been the best performer both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, offering more predictable returns. This segment benefits from wide brand recognition, a flexible customer base, and simplified operations, while guests prefer its offer of free breakfasts and lack of resort fees. Midscale and economy chains, however, are facing both RevPAR declines and closures, which should ultimately bring supply and demand into balance, setting newer economy and midscale prototypes up for improving topline and profits [1].

Sydney and Brisbane's expected growth markets reflect the broader trend of increased demand for luxury, extended stay, and business hotels. These segments are likely to see significant growth in the coming years, driven by factors such as hybrid work arrangements and increased travel for business purposes.

The report's findings provide a comprehensive overview of the current state and future prospects of the Australian and New Zealand hotel industry. Investors and financial professionals can use this information to make informed decisions about their investments in the sector.

References:
[1] https://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4128458.html