To expand the pool of hotel owners, it's not enough to provide access to capital. So in a pragmatic move, Wyndham is also providing a kind of support system (think mentorship in operations expertise and facilities management).
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the largest U.S.-based hotel company in China, has signed nearly 600 franchise agreements and opened almost 300 hotels in China over five years.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, in partnership with Reside, has launched its new Wyndham Residence brand in the U.S., offering upscale, residence-style accommodations in major cities like Houston and Washington D.C., with plans for expansion across top U.S. markets.
The real test will be whether Wyndham can scale this extended-stay hotel concept beyond a handful of trophy locations while maintaining the upscale positioning needed to justify premium rates.
Hilton had painted a more subdued picture of leisure demand. Wyndham's results show the benefits of having a heavy mix of hotels and resorts in the economy and midscale segments.
Hotel bigwigs are now pleading with Uncle Sam to roll out the red carpet for foreign visitors. They're particularly miffed that in some countries visa wait times are about 250 days. In that time, you could watch the entire "Lord of the Rings" extended edition trilogy approximately 100 times.