Travel Sector Stocks Highlighted for Resilience Amid Market Conditions

Travel demand in sectors such as cruising, flying, and lodging has remained steady, according to a report from CNBC citing Josh Brown and Sean Russo of Ritholtz Wealth Management. The report notes that while households have reduced spending on various discretionary items, travel-related expenditures have not shown signs of decline.

This resilience is observed amid market turmoil that began in February, with most travel stocks maintaining value except for Expedia, whose decline is attributed to concerns over AI disruption rather than travel spending. The Best Stocks in the Market list, as of April 6, includes 170 names.

Travel-related companies feature prominently in sector rankings. Brown and Russo selected Hilton Worldwide Holdings (HLT), Marriott International (MAR), and Viking Holdings (VIK) for further analysis, citing their performance in the real economy where consumers prioritize experiential spending over other budget areas.

Hilton Worldwide Holdings reported a net unit growth rate of 6.7% year-over-year in 2025, operating nearly 9,000 hotels and 100,000 rooms. The company anticipates 9% revenue growth, 38% EBIT growth, and 14% EPS growth for the year, based on upcoming earnings reports later in the month.

Over the past five years post-Covid, Hilton has achieved annualized total returns of 21%. Extending to 10 years, including a 51% drawdown in April 2020, annualized returns stand at 23%. Brown noted that Hilton's stock has behaved resiliently during recent market sell-offs.

The stock price pulled back from highs and is testing $300 as support after losing the 50-day moving average. The relative strength index (RSI) is in the low 50s, indicating cooled momentum but no collapse. The 200-day moving average near $280 serves as a key support level on a weekly closing basis.

International ended 2025 with over 1.78 million rooms across more than 9,800 properties and a pipeline of nearly 610,000 rooms, up 6% from the previous year. The Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program grew by 43 million members to nearly 271 million. These figures highlight Marriott's expansion in the lodging sector.

The report positions these travel stocks as compounders in the consumer discretionary market, with historical returns comparable to major technology companies over the past decade. Investors may monitor upcoming earnings for confirmation of projected growth.

The selections underscore the travel industry's position amid economic pressures, affecting stakeholders including hotel operators, investors, and consumers planning trips. Broader context includes the travel sector's recovery since the Covid-19 pandemic, with implications for employment in hospitality and tourism.

Future developments could involve further unit expansions and loyalty program growth, potentially influencing market sentiment toward these stocks.