... Security are Keys to Competitiveness Asset-light business models will help operators in 2017 to better weather any sudden RevPar (revenue per available room) declines compared to owned hotel groups. This follows the resilient operating results posted by geographically diversified European hotel operators after a challenging security environment in some markets in 2016. Digitisation should also improve major operators' customer acquisition and engagement. Fitch expects European hotel chains to take market share from independent hotels in 2017 and 2018. What to Watch European Occupancy and Pricing Trends: Fitch expects overall moderate occupancy growth in 2017 but with divergent trends within national markets: good but peaking Spanish demand in 2H17; high occupancy in the UK; and a mild recovery from a low base in France. Pricing in Spain will be supported by GDP growth, falling unemployment, a safe security environment and hotel refurbishment....
