Marriott forecasts weak room revenue growth on weak US travel demand

Feb 10 (Reuters) - Marriott International MAR.O forecast 2026 room revenue growth below Wall Street estimates on Tuesday, reflecting weak travel spending by low- and middle-income households in the U.S. amid economic uncertainty.

The Bethesda, Maryland-based hotel operator expects 2026 revenue per available room, a key industry metric, to grow 1.5% to 2.5%, below the average of analysts' estimates of a 2.3% rise, according to data compiled by LSEG.

U.S. consumer spending increased solidly in November and October, according to government data released last month. But economists say this is supported by higher-income households, while low- and middle-income households face a limited ability to substitute purchases, creating what they called a K-shaped economy.

Marriott said that RevPAR was roughly flat in the U.S. & Canada, reflecting the impact of the extended government shutdown primarily on the business transient segment.