Sagicor Real Estate X Fund Limited Sees Positive Outlook Amidst World Cup Interest
Sagicor Real Estate X Fund Limited is optimistic about the growth in travel related to the upcoming World Cup, which could help boost its hotel properties, even though hotel bookings in US cities hosting the event are currently lower than expected.
According to their recent quarterly report, the company noted that the US tourism sector is expected to bounce back throughout 2026, predicting a rise in international travel between 3.7% and 10.2%. This recovery is largely dependent on the return of travelers and activities linked to the World Cup.
The report also highlighted insights from the US Travel Association, which noted a 2.9% increase in hotel demand is expected during 2025, driven by both domestic and international tourism.
Sagicor has a diverse range of properties in the United States, the Cayman Islands, and Jamaica. For the first quarter ending March 2026, the group reported a net profit of $391.5 million, slightly down by $11 million compared to the same time last year.
One of its key properties, the DoubleTree by Hilton in Orlando, Florida, saw a significant 42% rise in net profit, thanks to higher occupancy rates and reduced operating costs. While Orlando isn’t one of the 11 US cities hosting World Cup matches, it could still benefit from increased summer travel.
Nearby Miami, which is set to host World Cup games, is experiencing bookings that are currently 40% below expectations, according to a study by the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA). Kansas City is seeing the largest gap, with bookings 80% lower than projected. The AHLA represents around 30,000 hotels and has expressed concerns that expected demand isn’t translating into strong bookings. Many hotel operators have cited issues like visa difficulties and global concerns as barriers to travel.
As the event approaches, there are doubts about whether the economic boost anticipated from the World Cup will be realized. Despite more than five million tickets sold, strong hotel bookings haven’t followed, according to the AHLA.
In the Cayman Islands, Sagicor’s commercial real estate is performing well, with retail space occupancy rates strong at about 90% to 95%. Their stake in Jamaica, however, is modest, representing roughly 1% of their overall portfolio.
Looking ahead, Sagicor warned that factors such as inflation, interest rates, and fuel prices might impact travel demand. Nonetheless, they believe the sector will remain strong due to the steady interest in leisure, entertainment, and recreational activities.
As of March 2026, Sagicor’s total assets amounted to $30.5 billion, reflecting an increase of $410.6 million since December 2025. The cash reserves also grew significantly, rising to $5.0 billion from around $3.0 billion in the same period. Stockholders’ equity climbed to $23.9 billion.
