The Asia-Pacific hotel pipeline is among the healthiest in the world, perhaps only second to the Americas, which is largely fueled by new construction in the United States. This summer, the Asia-Pacific pipeline has shown no signs of slowing down. June alone brought the region a pipeline report of 612,210 guestrooms across 2,767 hotel projects, which is a 6.2-percent increase in rooms under development compared with June 2016. This under development status includes projects that are in construction and the various stages of planning, but it does not include those that are currently unconfirmed.
Here are the countries with the most robust pipelines in Asia Pacific.
1. China
With 745 projects, China is by far the leader in terms of how many hotels it currently has in its pipeline. This is really no surprise, as it's largely China's growth that has pushed this region to prominence overall. It's not a perfect comparison, given that many other countries are currently in the midst of booms as well, but one could almost say that China is to the Asia Pacific region as the United States is to the Americas.
One of the most notable projects in the country is under the Bulgari brand. The Bulgari Hotel Beijng, which will be open in late September, is being developed next to the Linagma River in the Embassy District and near Beijing Capital International Airport. As the brand's first property in China, the 119-guestroom hotel is being designed by Italian architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel.
2. India
India ranks second in the Asia Pacific region with 179 total hotel projects. India is also the second most populous country in the region, behind China, so to a certain degree it makes sense that its hotel pipeline would also be dynamic. There is also no discounting the fact that India's rich cultural offerings have powered it through somewhat of a global tourism renaissance in recent years.
One of these projects currently underway includes the Grand Hyatt Hyderabad. As part of the 100-acre Lanco Hills township development in Manikonda, the new hotel is near Gachibowli and HITEC City.
3. Australia and Russia
With 120 upcoming projects each, Australia and Russia are tied for third on the list of top 10 hotel pipelines in the Asia Pacific region. It is worth noting, however, that Russia is grouped by some analysts into the European region, especially since much of the hotel growth in the sprawling country is actually occurring in cities of the western regions that are much closer to Europe, such as St. Petersburg and Moscow.
Lendlease is currently funding, developing and building the 590-guestroom Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour. Upon completion in October 2017, the new 35-story CBD hotel next to the International Convention Centre will be sold to developer Dr. Jerry Schwartz' Schwartz Family and managed by AccorHotels.
4. Indonesia
Indonesia comes in fourth place with 116 projects lined up to increase its hotel stock.
5. Thailand
Thailand follows close behind Indonesia with 91 hotel projects in its development pipeline.
6. Malaysia
Malaysia takes sixth place with 79 projects currently under development.
7. Vietnam
With 76 hotel projects in its development pipeline, Vietnam takes seventh place.
8. The Philippines
The Philippines's development pipeline currently has 38 projects underway.
9. Japan
Japan rounds out the list in last place with 32 hotel projects in its development pipeline.