Skift Take

An uncomfortable truth is emerging in the aftermath of two hurricanes making devastating sweeps through Florida. Natural disasters can be good for business at regional hotels that escape damage.

While hurricanes bring short-term devastation, they often boost medium-term hotel performance in affected regions. Analysts at investment banks Bernstein, Baird, and Truist expect hurricanes Milton and Helene to impact hotel occupancy and revenue in Florida for months.

"Although no company would want to profit from a tragedy, the truth is that hurricanes are largely positive for hotel groups, as the benefit from rehousing evacuated/displaced residents tends to outweigh the loss of business to affected areas," said Richar