HVS International

HVS International is a global consulting firm focused on the hospitality and travel sectors, providing valuation, advisory, and analytics to owners, developers, lenders, and operators. The firm is recognized for its work across hotel brands, independent properties, investors, and public agencies, interfacing with major chains and regional groups. HVS International maintains operations in major markets and participates in industry discourse alongside leading institutions and trade organizations.

History

HVS International traces its origins to the early 1980s when founders including Joe D. Hanauer sought to professionalize hotel valuation and advisory services amid growth in branded lodging by companies such as Hilton Hotels Corporation, Marriott International, and InterContinental Hotels Group. In the 1980s and 1990s the firm expanded services as global travel recovered after events like the Gulf War and shifts driven by the Soviet Union dissolution that opened markets in Eastern Europe. HVS engaged in engagements during waves of consolidation involving Choice Hotels International and AccorHotels, and advised lenders following financial crises that affected hospitality portfolios held by institutions such as Deutsche Bank and Bank of America. During the early 2000s HVS grew alongside industry trends shaped by innovations from Airbnb and network effects radiating from Expedia Group and Booking Holdings. The company adapted to regulatory and capital-market developments influenced by entities like the Securities and Exchange Commission and events such as the 2008 financial crisis, advising investors, public agencies, and sovereign entities in markets ranging from London to Singapore.

Services and Specializations

HVS International provides valuation, market studies, feasibility analyses, asset management, and advisory services to stakeholders including owners, developers, lenders, and operators. Core offerings include appraisal work used in financing with institutions such as Citigroup and Wells Fargo, feasibility reports that guide development with partners like Conrad Hotels & Resorts and Waldorf Astoria, and operator selection processes involving brands like Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Accor. The firm performs due diligence for real estate investment trusts such as Host Hotels & Resorts and private-equity groups similar to Blackstone Group, and prepares tourism-impact analyses for municipal clients comparable to VisitBritain and Tourism Australia. Specialized services extend to asset repositioning, revenue optimization influenced by distribution platforms like Priceline.com, and portfolio valuation across markets affected by macro events including decisions by the European Central Bank and policy shifts in China.

Global Operations and Offices

HVS International operates a network of offices across key regional capitals and tourism centers, aligning local expertise with global methodologies. The company maintains presence in financial hubs and hospitality clusters such as New York City, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Dubai, Mumbai, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Regional teams collaborate with stakeholders including municipal authorities like New York City Department of City Planning and cultural institutions analogous to The British Museum on projects that intersect urban development and tourism. HVS teams engage with airport and convention stakeholders tied to venues like McCormick Place and Las Vegas Convention Center, and work alongside major developer groups akin to Tishman Speyer and Lendlease. The global footprint enables comparative studies across markets influenced by events such as Expo 2020 Dubai and tourism initiatives by United Nations World Tourism Organization.

Notable Projects and Case Studies

HVS International has been involved in valuations and consulting assignments for prominent hospitality assets, mixed-use developments, and public-sector tourism planning. Notable case studies have included feasibility work supporting projects near landmark venues such as Times Square and The Louvre, repositioning strategies for historic hotels comparable to The Plaza Hotel and Ritz Paris, and market-entry analyses for international brands entering markets like Beijing and São Paulo. Financial advisory engagements have assisted lenders and investors during transactions alongside firms like Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan, while disposition support has guided owners through sales processes similar to those seen with Marriott International portfolio changes. HVS has produced market intelligence used by regional tourism boards resembling Visit California and event organizers planning for sporting events such as the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup.

Corporate Structure and Leadership

HVS International operates as a privately held partnership with regional principals and sector leads coordinating service lines and office operations. Leadership has included senior figures such as David S. Lundberg and founding professionals who established methodologies now referenced by academic programs at institutions like Cornell University and Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne. The firm collaborates with external experts including legal advisors from firms comparable to Sullivan & Cromwell and accounting firms paralleling Deloitte for transactional and regulatory matters. Governance emphasizes regional autonomy while maintaining centralized standards for valuation and market research that align with guidelines promulgated by professional bodies such as the American Society of Appraisers and industry events like the International Hotel Investment Forum.

Category:Hospitality industry