Seoul

In the first quarter of 2024, South Korea’s hotel industry saw significant growth in average daily rates and RevPAR, driven by key tourist destinations, but investment activity remained subdued despite limited future supply and expected continued success in luxury and upscale segments.

The Q1 2024 Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report shows significant growth in the Asia Pacific region's hotel construction, with a 7% increase in projects and a 2% increase in rooms year-over-year, led by India, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

Marriott International expands its presence in Seoul while luxury brands like Aman Group, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, and IHG Hotels & Resorts are also entering the South Korean market.

Seoul plans to develop floating office and hotel buildings with leisure facilities on the Han River by 2030 to enhance the river's potential and attractiveness.

Japan's hotel industry experienced significant growth in 2023, achieving top global tourist destination status, with a rebound in foreign visits and high investment despite not reaching 2019 levels.

India's hospitality sector in 2023 saw a record investment of $401 million, marking a near fourfold increase from 2022, with robust growth in hotel transactions, signings, and openings, particularly in tier-two cities, and an optimistic revenue growth forecast for FY2025 driven by spiritual tourism.

Centara Hotels & Resorts announced its expansion plans at ITB Berlin. Their sustainable strategy is to introduce its style of family-centric hospitality to multiple new markets, striving to become one of the planet’s top 100 hotel operators by 2027.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the opening of Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya. They reached an agreement with Tokyu Land Corporation earlier in the month for the 126-room hotel which includes 18 suites.

Notable are the predictions of 3% to 8% hotel rate hikes in 2024, with Asia leading in occupancy growth. Accor's execution of management agreements for 69 properties across Asia, enhancing its portfolio with over 16,500 keys, is a major development. The reopening of the Mandarin Oriental Singapore after a multi-million dollar transformation underscores significant refurbishment investments in the industry.

China experiences a significant year-over-year increase in hotel **RevPAR**, while **India** anticipates robust growth in the hotel industry, driven by domestic and international tourism. Sri Lanka aims to revive its economy by offering free tourist visas to visitors from seven countries, as it targets five million foreign arrivals by 2026. Major hotel chains like Marriott, Hilton, and Red Planet are expanding their presence in Asia, while Sarovar Hotels opens an upscale Golden Tulip in Bhopal, India.