Longtime hospitality industry analyst David Loeb is leaving Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. at the end of 2016, he said in an email.

Loeb, who joined Baird as a senior analyst and managing director in 2006, has covered hotels since 1993. He cited a desire to explore new opportunities and did not specify what he plans to do next, but added: "Hotels have never ceased to be a source of fascination."

The Baird team, which includes senior research associate Michael Bellisario and research associate Amanda Frankwick, covers hotel REITs and C-corps.

Covered companies include Ashford Hospitality Prime Inc., Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc., Apple Hospitality REIT Inc., Chesapeake Lodging Trust, DiamondRock Hospitality Co., Hospitality Properties Trust, Host Hotels & Resorts Inc., Hersha Hospitality Trust, Summit Hotel Properties Inc., LaSalle Hotel Properties, Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, RLJ Lodging Trust, Sunstone Hotel Investors Inc., Hyatt Hotels Corp., Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group Plc, Marriott International Inc. and Extended Stay America Inc.