- Home
- /
- News
- /
- February 2026
- /
- Budget Hotels Are Struggling. Wyndham’s CEO Sees Opportunity
Budget Hotels Are Struggling. Wyndham’s CEO Sees Opportunity

Summary
While budget hotels are struggling due to rising costs and fluctuating demand, Wyndham is expanding in the economy sector, which proved resilient during the pandemic. This strategic move challenges conventional travel wisdom. This expansion indicates a potential shift in the lodging market, and hosts should monitor trends.
Key Insights
- •Wyndham grew its economy room count by 4% on a gross basis through the third quarter.
- •The U.S. economy segment has posted more than 18 months of consecutive revenue declines.
Action Items
- ✓Consider the impact of shifting demand and investment in budget-friendly lodging.Effort: lowImpact: medium
More from Pricing & Profitability
Airbnb is offering a $750 incentive for some hosts in Georgia during the FIFA World Cup, potentially boosting occupancy and profitability. This program seeks to capitalize on increased demand from the international event, offering financial benefits to participating hosts. Learn how to qualify and leverage this incentive for your STR.

Las Vegas tourism saw a sharp decline in 2025, experiencing its worst year since the pandemic with a 7.5% drop in visitor arrivals. Hotel occupancy decreased by 3.3 percentage points, and average daily rates fell by 5%. Learn how economic shifts can affect your STR business, and explore strategies to mitigate risk.

Choice Hotels is strategically shedding underperforming properties in the U.S. while expanding internationally. This has resulted in a 2.9% net decrease in U.S. rooms, while globally they saw a 1% increase. This shift reflects a focus on higher-quality properties and potentially higher fees, impacting the competitive landscape for hosts.
Curated by Learn STR by GoStudioM


