Hotel development across Asia Pacific excluding China reached record levels in Q1 2026, with India leading regional growth and Bangkok emerging as the top city for new projects.
The hotel construction pipeline across Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC) reached record levels at the end of the first quarter of 2026, according to the latest Lodging Econometrics (LE) Construction Pipeline Trend Report.
The total pipeline expanded to 2,387 projects and 442,973 rooms, representing year-on-year growth of 15% by projects and 9% by rooms.
Construction activity continues to accelerate
Projects currently under construction reached 963 projects and 202,877 rooms at the end of Q1 2026, increasing 10% by projects and 2% by rooms year-on-year. These projects now account for 40% of the total APEC hotel development pipeline.
Projects scheduled to begin construction within the next 12 months rose to 386 projects and 72,569 rooms, reflecting year-on-year growth of 18% by projects and 9% by rooms. Meanwhile, projects in the early planning stage climbed to record highs of 1,038 projects and 167,527 rooms, increasing 19% by projects and 17% by rooms compared with the previous year.
During the first quarter alone, developers started construction on 144 projects representing 25,530 rooms, while 228 new hotel projects entered the pipeline.
Luxury and upscale developments dominate the market
Higher-end hotel segments continue to drive development activity across the region. Luxury projects reached a record high of 404 projects and 75,803 rooms, up 16% by projects and 11% by rooms year-on-year.
Upper upscale projects grew to 420 projects and 88,303 rooms, while upscale developments climbed to a record 616 projects and 120,127 rooms. The upper midscale segment stood at 393 projects and 75,185 rooms. The strongest growth was recorded in the midscale segment, which increased 26% by projects and 21% by rooms year-on-year to 307 projects and 39,209 rooms.
Hotel conversions reach record levels
Hotel conversion activity across the APEC region also reached record highs during the quarter.
Conversion projects increased to 353 projects and 57,219 rooms, representing an 82% rise by projects and a 48% increase by rooms compared with Q1 2025.
India leads the regional hotel development pipeline
India continues to dominate hotel development activity across the APEC region, reaching record levels of 940 projects and 124,011 rooms. India alone now accounts for 39% of the regional hotel pipeline.
Vietnam ranked second with 258 projects and 87,077 rooms, followed by Japan with 221 projects and 33,079 rooms.
Indonesia recorded 182 projects and 30,679 rooms, while Thailand ranked fifth with 161 projects and 41,812 rooms.
Bangkok remains the region’s leading development hub
At the city level, Bangkok recorded the highest number of hotel projects in the APEC region, with 68 projects and 16,267 rooms in development.
Bengaluru followed with 49 projects and 9,945 rooms, while Jakarta ranked third with 47 projects and 10,438 rooms.