Major Chinese markets see signs of hotel demand pickup in second half of 2025 (with STR's Jesper Palmqvist)

Growth is finally slowing after a years-long stretch of outsized growth for Japanese hotels, but STR's Jesper Palmqvist notes the country is still enjoying strong performance and remains the success story across the Asia Pacific region.

Benjamin West founder Alan Benjamin joins the podcast to talk about the issues facing procurement for hotel companies, which remains challenging with shifting tariffs impacting the costs of goods.

Mark Skinner, principal with The Highland Group, joins the podcast to dissect supply-demand dynamics for extended stay hotels and why there hasn't been an explosion of new supply despite outsized brand and investor interest.

Jessica Cook, partner at the law firm Fisher Phillips with a specialty in immigration and hospitality employment law, explains what hoteliers need to know about the ongoing ICE raids and arrests and how they should create response plans for their hotel teams.

STR's Jesper Palmqvist joins the podcast for his monthly check in on Asia Pacific hotel performance and news. This month's discussion includes the highs and lows in Thailand, along with the varying trajectories seen in China and Japan.

The Sonesta International Hotels brand family was born from hotel ownership but has gone a years long transformation to be one of the top franchising companies in the hotel industry. Chief Development Officer Brian Quinn joins the podcast to talk about how they're steering that growth while maintaining and owner-first mindset.

Deloitte Transportation, Hospitality and Services Research Manager Maggie Rauch joins the podcast to unpack the company's summer travel trends report. She talks with CoStar News' Stephanie Ricca about how people are spending their summer vacations and how much money they're spending on them. 

American Hotel & Lodging Association President and CEO Rosanna Maietta joins the podcast to talk about the top issues for the hotel industry's largest advocacy and lobbying group, including how they're working to get industry priorities in budget legislation currently in front of Congress.

CoStar News' Stephanie Ricca and Sean McCracken share their insights from attending this year's NYU IHIF. 

STR's Jesper Palmqvist joined the Hotel News Now podcast to discuss hotel performance in Hong Kong year to date along with other trends in the Asia-Pacific region.