Report: HOSTA 2020 – The Benelux Hotel Industry

The HOSTA report aims to provide relevant information for hoteliers as well as investors, bankers, project developers, municipal authorities, industry organisations and further anybody with an interest in the middle and upper segments of the Benelux Hotel industry. The 43^rd  edition of the annual report contains the results of the Benelux hotel industry in 2019 and was presented on 8 September 2020.

While the report focuses on the results in 2019, we cannot ignore the impact the COVID-19 crisis is having on the hotel market in 2020. The first COVID-19 case was confirmed in December 2019 and the outbreak appeared in late January 2020 in China. The virus later widely spread to Japan, Korea, Europe and the United States. The first cases in Belgium were confirmed in early February 2020, while the first case in the Netherlands was reported in late February 2020. As various forms of lock-downs and social distancing measures were implemented, hotel occupancies plummeted. When the strictest lock-down measures were announced, many hotels closed temporarily. Those that remained open, reported occupancies of less than 10%. While the summer brought fewer restrictions and increased domestic guest nights due to so-called ‘staycations’, by September the COVID-19 numbers were rising again, and new measures have been announced.

It seems inevitable that COVID-19 will continue to impact the hotel market throughout the rest of 2020, and well into 2021. Still, with positive reports on the chances for creating an effective vaccine, most hoteliers project that 2021 will show improving numbers. A full recovery for the hotel market may be possible by 2022 or 2023.

This HOSTA report is based on the information provided by over 460 participating hotels. The composition of participants is not meant to be a representation of the entire market. Our goal is to draw conclusions based on the relevant trends in the industry we examine over the years from a composition of participants which maintain a relatively consistent product over time.

The HOSTA 2020 report was made possible by the support of ABN AMRO. We are proud and grateful to have their continued financial support for the production and presentation.

You can order the complete HOSTA 2020 report by filling out the order form.