Latest news with #hoteldevelopment
Zawya
10 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Global hotel pipeline robust in Q2, Mideast and Africa lag behind
The global hotel development activity increased across most regions during the second quarter, with notable gains in Asia Pacific and Europe, according to new data from real estate analytics firm CoStar. However, the Middle East and Africa lagged behind. The MEA was the only region globally that recorded an overall decline in hotel pipeline growth, stated CoStar's in its June pipeline report. The region saw a 2.6% year-on-year decrease in total rooms under contract, totaling 219,237, while rooms in construction fell 5.4%, and final planning plunged 34.2%, though early-stage planning rose 13.7%. In the MEA region, Saudi Arabia led the growth in construction activity with 46,015 rooms followed by UAE (16,271), the report added. The total under-contract room counts rose year-on-year in all major regions except the Middle East and Africa, stated the report, which tracks hotel projects in various stages of development. Europe saw a 2.9% annual increase in total under-contract rooms, reaching 431,736. Growth was driven by a 15.4% surge in rooms in the planning phase, despite a 19.7% drop in final planning figures. The UK led the region with 24,711 rooms under construction, followed closely by Germany with 23,400. The Asia Pacific region recorded the strongest growth, with 957,254 rooms under contract, up 4.2% from a year earlier. Planning activity soared by 21%, offsetting a steep 54.3% drop in final planning. China dominated regional construction with 318,327 rooms, followed by India (40,950) and Vietnam (36,338), it stated. In the Americas, total rooms under contract edged up 1.1% to 902,952. While construction activity declined 9.3%, gains in the planning (+6.4%) and final planning (+1.5%) stages supported overall growth. The US remains the region's dominant market with 138,922 rooms under construction, followed by Mexico (14,562), Canada (9,128), and Brazil (5,334).- TradeArabia News Service Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
South China Morning Post
14-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Why China's domestic hotels have an edge over Western competitors
A cursory glance at the hotel development pipeline in the Asia-Pacific region shows how dominant the big global chains are. The eight largest operators, which include Marriott and Hilton, account for 74 per cent of expected completions in the next five years, according to CBRE data. Advertisement Moreover, the number of brands operated by the eight companies more than doubled in the past decade to 130 at the end of last year, with upscale and luxury hotels accounting for the bulk of the growth in the region. In the Asia-Pacific hotel investment market, upscale and luxury full-service properties accounted for 45 per cent of transaction volumes last year, according to JLL data. However, in China, large domestic operators such as H World Group and Jin Jiang International rule the roost. Other countries in Asia, such as Japan and India, have big domestic tourist markets, but China is in a different league altogether. According to HSBC, airline passenger traffic and capacity on domestic routes had already recovered to 2019 levels by April 2023. According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Chinese travellers made 1.8 billion trips within the country in the first quarter of this year, an increase of 26.4 per cent in annualised terms. Yet despite the strong performance of China's domestic tourist market, hotels' average occupancy levels, daily room rates and revenue per available room (RevPAR) – the industry's key performance measures – in the first five months of this year declined in annualised terms. Even in Tier 1 cities, hotels are underperforming the wider Asia-Pacific market. Advertisement
Arab News
11-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Radisson Hotel Group strengthens presence in Middle East with strategic team expansion
Radisson Hotel Group has promoted Elie Milky to chief development officer for Middle East, Cyprus, and Greece, reinforcing its commitment to doubling the wider regional portfolio to over 150 hotels and 50,000 keys in operation and under development by 2030. Milky, who marked 15 years with the company last month, has steered many of the group's headline deals across Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf, helping make the Middle East one of Radisson's fastest-growing markets. Under Milky's leadership, Radisson is scaling its development and feasibility teams, adding specialist analysts and project managers to enhance deal sourcing, underwriting, and technical support. The team is based out of Dubai with regular visits to Riyadh, Cairo and across the region, ensuring on-the-ground support for owners as large-scale tourism investment accelerates. A key pillar of that team is Ayman Ezzeddine, who joined Radisson in early 2024 as director of development for the Middle East with special focus on Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Over the past 18 months, Ezzeddine's market analysis, owner relations and deal structuring have led to several deals and a strong pipeline for upcoming signings, reinforcing Radisson's owner-centric approach. Commenting on his new role, Milky said: 'The region is moving at record speed. With Ayman's effort and our expanded development and feasibility bench, we're ready to deliver high-quality hotels, resorts and serviced apartments that create jobs, diversify economies, and meet investor expectations across every segment.' In the last 12 months, Radisson has strengthened its footprint across the region. Two new Park Inn hotels, Makkah Thakher Alsharqi and Makkah Thakher Algharbi deepened the group's presence in the holy city along with a recent opening in Riyadh and Madinah as well, while November 2024 welcomed Park Inn by Radisson Hotel and Apartments Kuwait, the brand's second property in the country. Looking ahead, Radisson Collection Residence Riyadh, the brand's third address in the Saudi capital, is set to open in Q4 2025. Recent signings extend the pipeline even further: Radisson Collection Residence Amman Abdoun and Radisson RED Amman Downtown introduce both brands to Jordan, and two more Radisson RED hotels are slated for Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, and Ras Al-Khaimah, UAE. Altogether the Middle East portfolio now approaches 100 hotels in operation or development, keeping Radisson on course for its 2030 growth target of over 150 properties and 50,000 keys.
Skift
01-07-2025
- Business
- Skift
Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs Steps Down After 13 Years
Neil Jacobs is stepping down as CEO of Six Senses. After 13 years in the role, he is setting out on a new adventure. Plus, APAC hotel development news. Malaysia welcomed 6.4 million international tourists in 1Q25, up 10% year-over-year. Tourism receipts rose to 27.5 billion Malaysian Ringgit, up 24% year-on-year, with the average spending per tourist climbing to 4,300 MYR. Chinese tourists accounted for 1.12 million visitors in the first quarter, making China the second largest source market after Singapore. Tourism Malaysia is targeting 31.3 million international tourists this year, generating 125.5 billion MYR in tourism revenue. For 2026, their target is 35.6 million visitors. IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the official opening of its first Brisbane property, InterContinental Brisbane. The hotel is positioned in the heart of Brisbane's CBD within the luxury shopping precinct of Queen Street Mall. The 319-room hotel will undergo a significant two-year transformation starting next year, with developer ISPT using this as part of the way to reimagine the Elizabeth Street precinct into a vibrant hub. InterContinental Brisbane spans 25 floors with a collection of rooms and suites with city views, event spaces with 19 meeting rooms and one of the city's largest event ballrooms, elevated amenities with an outdoor lap pool, gym and the new Latitude 27 Bar & Kitchen, serving as the hotel's all-day restaurant and lobby bar. A signature Club InterContinental lounge is on level 25, offering river city views. With the addition of Intercontinental Brisbane, the brand now has three properties across Queensland. IHG operates 69 hotels in total in Australasia under nine brands. Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the opening of Hyatt House South Melbourne, the first Hyatt House–branded property in Australia, expanding the brand's footprint globally. The hotel is a joint venture led by Holder East Pty Ltd. and operated by Hyatt. The new hotel offers 97 residential-style rooms, including studios, one-bedroom suites, and accessible room options. The Market is open 24 hours, while The Bar offers specialty coffees and premium beers, as well as wine and cocktails. Other amenities include free breakfast, a 24/7 fitness center, and a necessities program. Marriott International's Marriott Hotels brand announced the opening of the Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa, located on the shores of Thailand's Eastern Seaboard. The resort is just steps from the golden sands of Jomtien Beach, just minutes from the resort town of Pattaya. The resort features 289 rooms and suites, ranging in size from 33-square-meter deluxe rooms to 57-square-meter family rooms with bunk beds and spacious premium suites with up to 88 square meters of modern, light-filled space. There are six restaurants and bars, four flexible meeting rooms for social and business events, Quan Spa, a 24-hour fitness center, a Kids' Club, and three pools. Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide said it plans to open a hotel in Bangkok in fiscal 2029. Seibu Prince will be contracted to operate the hotel by a joint venture between Thai Obayashi, a subsidiary of Japanese construction company Obayashi, and major Thai consumer goods company Saha Group. The luxury hotel will be developed on a prime site in the Ratchadamri area and will feature 200 high-end guest rooms along with an array of facilities, including banquet halls, meeting rooms, fine-dining restaurants, and an international-standard spa. The hotel will form part of a larger mixed-use development, which will also offer office space and full-service retail areas. The hotel will span floors 26 to 36 of the tower, envisioned as the 'Garden in the Sky.' The main lobby will be on the 27th floor. There will be an infinity pool as well as a Japanese restaurant with private dining rooms, a lounge and bar, spa, fitness center, club lounge, and flexible banquet and meeting spaces. Property developer Ayala Land, Inc. said it acquired the 580-room New World Hotel Makati to expand its hotel portfolio. Ayala said the acquisition is part of its broader strategy to invest in high-growth urban centers in the Philippines, where it already operates several businesses and lifestyle hotels. Ayala said it plans to invest $500 million to help double their hotel capacity to 8,000 keys by 2030. Its Ayala Land Hospitality unit operates the homegrown Seda hotels and the El Nido Resorts luxury chain in Palawan. Ayala Land Hospitality is also looking to build a five-star hotel in Cebu and another in Batangas, which will have 400 to 600 rooms. Ayala Land now has more than 4,000 hotel rooms in 15 locations. BWH Hotels said it expanded its network in Indonesia with the opening of Best Western Setiabudhi Bandung, a new hotel in the city of Bandung, West Java. The hotel is strategically located on Jalan Dr. Setiabudhi, 2km from Bandung city center. The hotel features 63 rooms and suites and includes whirlpool baths in the Junior Suites. The hotel includes a restaurant, 24-hour room service, five meeting rooms, and a fitness center. This is BWH Hotels' second property in Bandung. Personnel Moves Neil Jacobs is stepping down as CEO of Six Senses. Skift, parent company of this publication, noted Jacobs' LinkedIn post where he said after 13 years in the role, he is stepping away from leadership of the company and setting out on a new adventure. Neither Jacobs nor IHG had responded to Skift's requests for comment at our press time. Jacobs first joined Six Senses as CEO in 2012 when Pegasus Capital Advisors bought the Thai-based brand. In 2019, IHG acquired the company for $300 million. Read more on Skift here. Accor announced the appointment of Cyrus Madan as Director of Development for India and South Asia. Madan previously held senior roles with renowned hospitality brands over his 30 years of experience, including Lemon Tree Hotels and Atmosphere Hospitality, starting his career with the Taj Group in New Delhi. Madan is expected to play a pivotal role in accelerating Accor's footprint across the region.
Zawya
25-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Africa's hospitality boom: Are we building fast enough?
Africa's hospitality sector is booming — but is development keeping up with demand? That was the key question tackled by a panel of industry leaders at the Future Hospitality Summit Africa 2025, held from 17 to 19 June at The Westin Cape Town. Moderated by Ninon Lamothe, Africa Director at Voltere by Egis, the session Africa's Hospitality Boom: Is the Sector Growing Fast Enough to Meet Rising Demand? brought together Bani Haddad (founder and MD, Aleph Hospitality), Esteban Lozada (MD development North & West Africa, Hilton), Wytze van den Berg (VP EMEA, BWH Hotels) and Artur Gerber (CEO, TUI Blue Hotels & Resorts) to unpack the opportunities and challenges facing hotel growth on the continent. The discussion focused on the demand-supply gap in African hospitality markets, what kind of hotel developments make sense, and where the growth opportunities are. Is demand outpacing supply? "There's a lot of demand in Africa. I'm not sure if it's too much," says Wytze van den Berg. "But what we know is that by 2050, Africa will have 2.5 billion people. That's 30% of the planet's population — and you need more hotels for that." BWH Hotels is focusing on upgrading older hotels across African cities into modern three- and four-star properties. "Conversions are going much quicker than greenfield projects," he says, adding that many legacy hotels in Africa are being bought, renovated, and repositioned to better meet market demand. Bani Haddad agrees demand is real, but highly localised. 'Africa is a massive continent, not just in population but in diversity. There are cities where supply isn't coping with demand, and others where there's clearly no need for more rooms,' he says. 'You can't keep building upscale in Nairobi, for example. A long-stay, midscale product might make more sense now. We're not seeing enough lifestyle hotels either — and there's definitely a market for that." International and domestic drivers of demand Esteban Lozada outlines Hilton's dual approach to meeting both international and domestic demand. 'Africa has some fantastic leisure experiences, strategic business hubs, and ambitious tourism policies. In Ghana and Angola, for example, there's been a push for visa-free entry to boost tourism.' On the domestic side, he points to demographics. 'Sixty percent of Africa's population is under 25. In 10 years, more people will be entering the workforce in Africa than in the rest of the world combined. That means more purchasing power, a growing middle class, and rising local travel demand.' Lozada says Hilton plans to open 100 more hotels across Africa in the coming years, creating 18,000 jobs. TUI's long-term approach Artur Gerber highlights TUI's long history in Africa, particularly in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and now Zanzibar. "We're not only an operator — we're also an owner. So we're invested in the long term," he says. TUI's strategy focuses on creating clusters in each region, combining different hotel brands in one area. 'We've done it in Cape Verde — we opened one hotel 30 years ago and now there are 10–15 direct flights from Europe daily. We're doing the same in Senegal. That ecosystem approach works.' He adds that Africa's people are part of the draw. "If you ask guests what they remember most, it's not just the weather or food — it's that they felt welcome. That's what sets African hospitality apart." Development challenges remain Despite the optimism, panellists acknowledge the real roadblocks. "The number one issue is access to capital,' says Haddad. 'And even when you secure funding, getting the hotel open is another story. There's often a resistance to bringing in professional project teams early on. That lack of planning slows everything down." Gerber adds that supply chain issues and energy infrastructure are also major concerns. "We face cost increases, but we're still trying to install sustainable solutions — solar, water saving, waste management. These things cost more upfront, but they're necessary." He says operating hotels requires skilled staff, and training local teams has become a top priority for TUI. "We're rotating talent across our hotels in Africa and Europe. That knowledge exchange is part of our long-term investment." Key growth markets to watch According to panellists, the markets showing the most promise right now include: • Morocco and Egypt (Hilton and TUI both expanding) • Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria (West Africa remains strong) • Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania (East Africa development pipeline) • Angola (Hilton announced three new hotels) • Uganda (BWH bringing in its WorldHotels brand) Haddad also announced Aleph's takeover of 26 hotels under the Onomo brand, totalling 3,400 keys — and says Aleph is setting up a luxury division to manage its growing high-end portfolio. While the sector is expanding and operators are innovating to meet demand, challenges around capital, planning, and infrastructure mean the pace of development still struggles to fully keep up with the continent's rapid growth. "This continent is full of lifestyle, energy and vibe — it's underserved, but it's ready," he says. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
