Lodging Econometrics’ (LE) Q2 2026 Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report for Asia Pacific, excluding China (APEC), shows the region’s total hotel construction pipeline reaching a record high of 2,506 projects and 452,972 rooms at the close of the second quarter. This represents a 17% increase in projects and an 11% increase in rooms year over year (YOY).
Asia Pacific Hotel Construction Pipeline Reaches Record High
By pipeline stage, 989 projects with 199,362 rooms are currently under construction, up 13% by projects and 5% by rooms YOY. Meanwhile, 398 projects and 72,213 rooms are scheduled to start construction within the next 12 months, representing a 5% increase in projects YOY.
The early planning stage has also reached a record high. At the end of Q2 2026, it includes 1,119 projects and 181,397 rooms, up 26% by projects and 25% by rooms YOY. As a result, early planning projects account for 45% of the total APEC pipeline.
In addition, construction starts across the region total 101 projects and 16,628 rooms.
Luxury and Upscale Hotel Projects Lead Growth
Most chain scales are reaching record highs across APEC. The luxury segment stands at 432 projects and 79,928 rooms, up 22% by projects and 18% by rooms YOY.
Similarly, the upper upscale segment reaches 435 projects and 91,231 rooms, representing increases of 14% by projects and 11% by rooms YOY. The upscale segment is even larger, with 658 projects and 121,365 rooms, up 22% by projects and 15% by rooms YOY.
Meanwhile, the upper midscale segment totals 423 projects and 75,866 rooms, up 17% by projects and 2% by rooms YOY. The midscale segment closes the quarter at a record 310 projects and 39,113 rooms, up 19% by projects and 13% by rooms YOY.
Combined, upper upscale and upscale are the region’s two largest chain scales by project count. Together, they account for 44% of projects and 42% of the total APEC pipeline.
Hotel Renovations and Brand Conversions Rise
New project announcements (NPAs) in the APEC region reached 217 projects and 34,938 rooms in Q2 2026, representing significant year-over-year increases in both projects and rooms.
At the same time, combined hotel renovations and brand conversions reached a record 346 projects and 58,429 rooms. This represents a 36% increase by projects and a 25% increase by rooms YOY.
India Leads APEC Hotel Construction Pipeline
India leads all APEC countries with a record-high 1,033 hotel projects and 137,601 rooms in its construction pipeline. The country recorded growth of 36% by projects and 39% by rooms YOY.
Vietnam follows with 265 projects and 81,848 rooms, with project numbers up 7% YOY. Japan ranks third with 207 projects and 31,360 rooms, up 17% by projects and 9% by rooms YOY.
Indonesia comes next with 189 projects and 31,772 rooms, representing increases of 12% by projects and 8% by rooms YOY. Thailand rounds out the top five with 167 projects and 42,069 rooms.
Together, the five leading countries account for 1,861 projects and 324,650 rooms, representing 74% of the region’s total hotel construction pipeline.
Bangkok Leads Asia Pacific Hotel Development
By city, Bangkok leads the APEC region with 67 projects and 16,372 rooms.
Bengaluru ranks second with 51 projects and 10,258 rooms, up 42% by projects and 44% by rooms YOY. Mumbai follows with 49 projects and 10,232 rooms, with project numbers increasing 58% YOY.
Jakarta and Phuket complete the region’s leading cities, with 47 projects and 10,140 rooms and 44 projects and 10,352 rooms, respectively.
Hotel Openings Set to Continue Through 2028
Across the APEC region, 148 projects and 20,594 rooms opened during the first half of 2026. Another 236 new hotel projects, representing 41,217 rooms, are forecast to open during the third and fourth quarters.
Looking further ahead, LE forecasts 374 new hotels with 68,396 rooms to open across the region in 2027.
For the first time, LE has also released its 2028 hotel opening forecast. The company projects that 363 new hotels with 59,659 rooms will open across the APEC region in 2028.
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