Record Projects: APEC Hotel Pipeline Climbs to 2,387 Projects at Q1 2026 Close

The Asia Pacific, excluding China (APEC), hotel construction pipeline reached a record-high project count at the close of Q1 2026, according to the latest Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics (LE). The pipeline grew to 2,387 projects and 442,973 rooms, up 15% by projects and 9% by rooms year-over-year (YOY).

Projects under construction totaled 963 projects and 202,877 rooms at quarter’s close, up 10% by projects and 2% by rooms YOY, representing 40% of the total APEC pipeline. Projects scheduled to start construction within the next 12 months rose 18% by projects and 9% by rooms YOY to 386 projects and 72,569 rooms. Early planning stage projects continued their upward trajectory, climbing 19% by projects and 17% by rooms YOY to record-high counts of 1,038 projects and 167,527 rooms. Construction starts for the quarter totaled 144 projects and 25,530 rooms, while 228 new projects were announced into the pipeline in Q1.

Higher-end projects continue to dominate the APEC pipeline at the Q1 2026 close. Luxury projects reached a record-high count of 404 projects and 75,803 rooms, up 16% by projects and 11% by rooms YOY. Upper upscale projects are at 420 projects and 88,303 rooms, growing 13% by projects and 10% by rooms YOY. Upscale projects also reached record highs, closing the quarter at 616 projects and 120,127 rooms, up 18% by projects and 16% by rooms YOY. Upper midscale projects stood at 393 projects and 75,185 rooms, up 11% by projects and 5% by rooms YOY. The midscale chain scale showed the strongest YOY growth, climbing 26% by projects and 21% by rooms to close Q1 at 307 projects and 39,209 rooms.

Conversions in the APEC region also reached record-high totals at the close of Q1, climbing to 353 projects and 57,219 rooms — a substantial 82% increase by projects and 48% by rooms YOY.

Through Q1, APEC had 70 hotels open, accounting for 9,063 rooms. LE anticipates another 302 projects/59,063 rooms will open by year end, with an additional 362 projects/67,962 rooms forecasted to open in 2027.

India Continues to Lead the Region with a Record-High Project Counts

India leads the APEC pipeline by a commanding margin, hitting record highs of 940 projects and 124,011 rooms — representing 39% of the entire region’s pipeline. Vietnam ranks second with 258 projects and 87,077 rooms. Japan follows with 221 projects and 33,079 rooms, with Indonesia close behind at 182 projects and 30,679 rooms. Thailand rounds out the top five at 161 projects and 41,812 rooms.

At the city level, Bangkok leads all APEC markets with 68 projects and 16,267 rooms, cementing Thailand’s capital as the region’s most active development hub. Bengaluru follows with 49 projects and 9,945 rooms. Jakarta is third with 47 projects and 10,438 rooms, edging out Mumbai which registered 43 projects and 8,171 rooms. Tokyo rounds out the top five at 43 projects and 5,044 rooms.

Projects in the Under Construction Project Stage Dominate China’s Hotel Construction Pipeline at Q1 2026

According to Lodging Econometrics’ (LE) Q1 2026 China Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report, China’s construction pipeline totaled 3,602 projects and 640,328 rooms at the close of the quarter.

Projects under construction dominated the pipeline at 2,572 projects and 451,156 rooms — representing 71% of the total by projects and 70% by rooms. The scheduled-to-start within the next 12 months stage of the pipeline reached 360 projects and 58,840 rooms, up 14% by projects and 6% by rooms year-over-year (YOY). The early planning stage grew to 670 projects and 130,332 rooms, up 5% by both projects and rooms YOY.

The upper midscale chain scale leads China’s pipeline with a record 1,249 projects with 183,534 rooms, up 8% by projects and 3% by rooms YOY, representing 35% of all projects in the total pipeline. Also reaching a new record project total at Q1, the upscale chain scale follows with 1,087 projects/223,180 rooms, up 4% by projects YOY. Together, these two leading chain scales account for 2,336 projects/406,714 rooms in China’s construction pipeline.

Conversion activity surged in Q1, as conversions hit a record-high project count, reflecting growing investor interest in the repositioning of existing assets. Construction starts totaled 188 projects and 30,539 rooms for the quarter, while new project announcements accelerated to 234 projects and 35,377 rooms, up 21% by projects and 9% by rooms YOY.

During the first quarter, 287 new hotels/37,449 rooms opened in China, with an additional 824 new hotels/125,758 rooms forecast to open in Q2-Q4. LE analysts forecast a total of 1,111 new hotels/163,207 rooms to open by year-end, while 861 new hotels/144,061 rooms are forecast to open in 2027.

Chengdu, Guangzhou, and Shanghai Lead Hotel Construction in China

Activity in China is concentrated within a few cities. Chengdu leads China’s pipeline with 130 projects/23,545 rooms. Guangzhou follows with 125 projects/25,500 rooms. Next is Shanghai with 111 projects/20,973 rooms, then Hangzhou with 96 projects/18,364 rooms, and Xi’an with 82 projects/14,511 rooms.