Skip to main contentSkip to navigationSkip to search

High entry barriers in a constantly
developing hotel market

Pandox is a leading hotel property owner in Europe with an active ownership model that covers the entire
hotel value chain. The hotel property market is fragmented and has good growth opportunities.

The pandemic has reinforced more than changed

The pandemic has reinforced existing trends, especially interest in revenue-based leases that provide a better risk/return balance between property owners and tenants than is the case with fixed leases. This has in turn increased the need for and value of a deeper understanding of hotel operation, which works in Pandox’s favour.

Few listed specialists (competitors)

Listed specialists in hotel properties in Europe other than Pandox (Nasdaq Stockholm, PNDX) are PPHE Hotel Group (London Stock Exchange, PPH) and Covivio Hotels (Euronext Paris, COVH).

Other property companies with significant hotel property exposure include Aroundtown (Frankfurt Stock Exchange, AT1) and Balder (Nasdaq Stockholm, BALD). In the US there are several large listed hotel property owners.

Hotel properties are an asset class that requires specialisation, active ownership and an industrial perspective for successful value creation. Time is also a key success factor. It takes a long time to acquire suitable properties, implement investments and build relationships with hotel operators and business partners that can develop and realise the hotels’ full potential.

Pandox's market share
Pandox has an overall low market share in the hotel property market. The company's assessment is that Pandox's market share amounts to less than 1 percent, measured in available rooms in all of Pandox's markets.

Good opportunities for Pandox ...

High entry barriers

The entry barriers to the hotel property market are high. Hotel properties have specific characteristics and this requires comprehensive specialist expertise and substantial capital in order to create a portfolio with an attractive risk and return profile. A well-established hotel property in a strategic location has natural competitive advantages that are difficult to replicate. A well-diversified hotel property portfolio is even harder to recreate as this requires a long-term perspective and an international presence.

Large and fragmented market

The hotel property market in Europe is fragmented. Pandox, which is one of the biggest players, has a combined market share of just under 1 percent, measured as the number of rooms in the markets where the Company is established. Competing hotel property companies are rarely international specialists, but instead tend to be from the financial sector or are national property companies with various property types in their portfolio. Overall, there are a handful of competitors in each market, of which only a few are active in multiple markets.

The need for operational expertise is increasing

As large hotel chains become more brand-oriented, the need for specialised hotel property owners and strong operators increases. This is because the brand promise conveyed in digital channels has to be turned into a positive guest experience in the physical environment at the hotel. This calls for knowledge of how to create an attractive hotel product through a combination of efficient operation and value-adding investments. Here, skilful operator companies have gradually advanced their positions. This trend has created opportunities for Pandox to take over operation when the conditions for a profitable lease are not in place.

Flexibility and agility create opportunities

Pandox’s pan-European position and ability to work with all operating models creates clear competitive advantages and growth opportunities. Pandox’s core business is to acquire and improve hotel properties and lease them to strong hotel operators under revenue-based leases, where Pandox’s rental income grows as the operator’s sales grow. Pandox moves freely throughout the hotel value chain and can operate hotels in properties that the Company owns. This reduces risk and creates new business opportunities

... in a constantly developing hotel market

Changed business models in the hotel market

The international hotel market has gone through an extensive structural transformation. Large international hotel chains have changed their business models, having sold their hotel properties and outsourced hotel operation to other parties. They have then developed different types of asset-light strategies that require less capital with a focus above all on distribution (bookings) and brand development (franchising). The large hotel companies today have relatively little to do with the day-to-day operation of their hotels. This is instead usually handled by specialised, independent operating companies through franchise or management agreements

Asset-light requires large volumes in order to be profitable

Within an asset-light strategy, revenue is mainly derived from franchise fees and commissions on bookings. This business model requires large volumes in order to be profitable. The main aim is to increase the number of franchisees and room bookings – preferably in their own distribution channels. The business model not only requires substantial marketing investments, but also a continuous increase in the number of rooms in the portfolio. This has resulted in a search for new franchisees and, in some cases, in consolidation. One factor contributing to this trend is online travel agencies (OTAs) that aggregate offerings and match demand using efficient technology and extensive marketing

Fewer operators but more brands

Consolidation has decreased the number of brand owners, while the number of brands has increased. The reason is that many hotel chains invest substantial resources in diversifying their brand portfolios and attracting customer demand in new segments.