May 1 (Reuters) - Host Hotels & Resorts ( HST ) raised

its 2024 per share forecast for funds from operations on

Wednesday, as business travel demand continues to recover.

U.S. travel companies have been benefiting from increased

business demand from large enterprises, whose bookings for group

travel sometimes exceed 300 rooms per trip.

Host, which has a portfolio that includes hotels such as

Hyatt and Marriott's Ritz Carlton, now expects full-year

adjusted funds from operations between $1.97 and $2.05 per

share, compared with $1.92 to $2.04 per share expected

previously.

The Bethesda, Maryland-based real estate investment trust

reported first-quarter adjusted FFO per share - a key metric

that measures a REIT's cash flow - of 60 cents. Analysts on

average were expecting adjusted FFO of 55 cents per share,

according to LSEG data.

"Banquet revenues led our performance, driven by

improvements in group business and continued strong demand in

food and beverage," CEO James Risoleo said.

The company reported first-quarter revenue of $1.47 billion,

up 6.5% from last year and above analysts' estimate of $1.42

billion, according to LSEG data.