Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has deepened its commitment to South Korea with the opening of its first managed hotel and two major new development signings, as the country’s tourism rebound drives renewed demand for branded accommodation across urban and resort destinations.
A three-city growth push
The Group’s latest moves span leisure, resort and city markets:
- Wyndham Goseong, Gangwon – now open
529 rooms on Korea’s northeast coast, near Seoraksan National Park - Howard Johnson by Wyndham Seoul – opening 2028
- Wyndham Busan – opening 2030
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Together, the projects significantly expand the group’s long-term footprint in one of Asia’s fastest-recovering travel markets.
The new hotels build on a Korean portfolio that already totals 30 properties and more than 9,200 rooms across brands including Ramada, Days Inn, Wyndham Grand and Trademark Collection.
Wyndham Goseong marks a milestone
The newly opened Wyndham Goseong, Gangwon is the hospitality company’s first managed hotel in South Korea, marking a strategic shift from franchise-only operations to hands-on management in the market.
Set between Bongpo Beach and Seoraksan National Park, the 529-room, ocean-view resort is designed to attract:
- Leisure and family travellers
- Domestic weekend getaways
- Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE)
The location positions the property as both a coastal escape and a gateway to one of Korea’s most visited national parks.
Why It Matters
South Korea is emerging as one of the most resilient tourism markets in Northeast Asia, making it a high-priority growth target for global hotel groups.
Key drivers include:
- Strong inbound recovery: Korea recorded 15.8 million international visitors from January to October, up 15.2% year-on-year
- Stable domestic demand, supporting occupancy even outside peak international seasons
- Rising investor confidence in both urban gateways and resort destinations
For the group , this creates a rare opportunity to:
- Scale quickly across multiple cities
- Introduce more of its global brands
- Leverage its Wyndham Rewards loyalty platform to drive occupancy and owner returns
As regional travel normalises, international demand is expected to continue improving through 2025, strengthening the business case for branded hotels in Seoul, Busan and key leisure markets.
A broader brand-led strategy
The Group has been steadily expanding its brand mix in Korea:
- Wyndham Grand launched in 2023
- Trademark Collection by Wyndham followed in 2024
These additions complement established names such as Ramada, Ramada Encore, Howard Johnson and Days Inn, allowing the group to cover:
- Premium urban hotels
- Midscale and upper-midscale city stays
- Resorts and lifestyle properties
The approach gives owners access to the group’s global distribution, marketing and loyalty ecosystem while matching each location with the right brand positioning.
At a Glance
- What happened: Wyndham opened its first managed hotel in South Korea and signed two more projects in Seoul and Busan
- What’s open now: Wyndham Goseong, Gangwon (529 rooms, coastal resort)
- What’s coming:
- Howard Johnson by Wyndham Seoul – 2028
- Wyndham Busan – 2030
- Why now: South Korea’s tourism recovery is accelerating, with international arrivals up over 15%
- Bigger picture: Wyndham is building scale across urban and resort markets using a multi-brand growth strategy
Also read Baymont by Wyndham Opens First Asia-Pacific Hotel in Kunming
