Reaching from the Caucasus territories in the west to Australasia in the east, the entire region is a hotbed of hotel development, with works encompassing 579,026 keys.
Over US$90 billion is being invested into these developments, according to THP’s calculations.
Typical types
Looking at the data, we see that upscale just has the edge over luxury in terms of star ratings, with 1,497 four star sites under development compared to 1,173 five stars. This breaks down as a 56/44% split.
Newbuildings form the vast majority of the pipeline, equating to 92%/2,456 projects, whereas conversions number just 68. In terms of work on existing hotels, 127 refurbishments are planned, along with 19 extensions.
Top timeframe
The current delivery peak is 2024, with 847 projects concluding, equivalent to 32% of regional records. 2025 is the next highest, with 511 sites, and the number falls again for 2026, with 297 completions currently on the slate.
Another 217 hotels are due to open by the end of this year, while the remaining 155 sites are either due further in the future or have yet to be designated a delivery date.
A majority of developments (57%) are under construction – that’s 1,529 properties – plus a further 216 hotels are in a pre-opening phase. Further back in the project process, 585 sites are in planning, 274 are in pre-planning and 66 are at a vision stage.
Geographical preference
China far and away tops THP’s regional count for high end hotels, with 53% of the pipeline (1,425 properties). India is in a distant second on 229 sites, while Australia rounds out the podium with 174.
For individual cities, the leading hub looks to be Chinese metropolis Shanghai, on 72 developments, with western China’s Chengdu runner up on 58. Thai capital Bangkok makes third spot with 56 sites.
Brand blueprints
The major hotel groups are battling for supremacy in the upper segments, and the THP database shows that Marriott International is likely in the lead with at least 344 projects. IHG Hotels & Resorts isn’t too far behind, on a minimum of 263 developments, while Hilton Worldwide is fast approaching, on at least 237.
Drilling down into hard brands, the competition is similarly tight. Hilton’s flagship Hilton Hotels & Resorts has a narrow lead, with a minimum of 59 properties under development. IHG’s Hotel Indigo is next, on at least 56, while Marriott flagship Marriott Hotels & Resorts and The Ascott’s Citadines Apart’hotels share third place with a minimum of 54 projects apiece.
Largest sites
The biggest regional developments by key count are headed by a refurbishment of Singapore’s iconic Marina Bay Sands Hotel, with its 2,600 rooms being upgraded, along with the addition of new food and beverage offerings, a state-of-the-art entertainment arena, an ultra-luxury hotel tower and additional MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) space.
Next largest is the recently-greenlit MGM Osaka development comprising 2,500 keys across MGM Osaka, MGM Villas and Musubi Hotel. Also onsite will be a variety of dining and food and beverage offerings, retail space, spa, fitness centre, banquet halls, 400,000 sq ft of conference facilities, 330,000 sq ft of exhibition space and the 3,500-seat Yumeshima Theatre.
