2026/04/27 – 2026/05/10
Special Briefing
- U.S.–Iran War and the Global Lodging Market Status: The shock to the GCC lodging market is deepening, while a substitution-driven demand uplift is becoming visible in select markets. At the GCC tourism ministers’ meeting on April 7, regional tourist arrivals in 2026 were projected to decline by between 8 million and 19 million, while hotel operators have begun decisive responses including the permanent closure of selected Dubai assets such as the Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort. By contrast, Saudi Arabia is maintaining relative resilience supported by religious tourism and domestic demand, while European gateway cities, Southeast Asia and Japan are benefiting from substitution effects.
Korea
- IGIS Divests Two Mangrove Co-Living Assets: It has been confirmed that two co-living assets owned by IGIS — the 177-key Mangrove Dongdaemun and the 311-key Mangrove Sinseol — have been sold to a consortium of Korea-based Hyundai HAIM Asset Management and U.S.-based TPG Angelo Gordon for a combined price of approximately KRW 111.5 billion. Mangrove Dongdaemun sits on a 653.1 sqm site with a gross floor area of 5,967.0 sqm, while Mangrove Sinseol sits on a 902.8 sqm site with a gross floor area of 11,588.9 sqm. The transaction is regarded as a representative example of the expanding inflow of foreign capital into assets adjacent to Korea’s urban minbak segment.
- Shinsegae Pursues Mixed-Use Hotel Development in Busan Centum City: Shinsegae is moving forward with a mixed-use development project on a 16,515 sqm site in Busan’s Centum City, combining a hotel, offices, premium senior housing and retail facilities. If permitting proceeds smoothly, construction is expected to begin in the second half of next year, with Shinsegae overseeing the entire process from land acquisition through sales. The group is reinforcing its broader hospitality asset expansion strategy and is reportedly reviewing the establishment of a wholly owned REIT backed by its existing portfolio.
APAC
- AB Capital Acquires Smile Hotel Sapporo Susukino Minami: Hong Kong-based real estate fund manager AB Capital Investment Limited has acquired the 123-key Smile Hotel Sapporo Susukino Minami in Hokkaido, Japan. The transaction price was not disclosed, and the deal marks AB Capital’s 12th hotel acquisition in Japan. The hotel is operated by Japan-based Hospitality Operations Inc., which manages a portfolio of more than 70 Smile Hotel properties nationwide. The transaction reflects Sapporo’s emergence as a core investment destination for global capital.
- Sun Group Launches Phan Thiet Airport Development in Vietnam: Vietnam’s Sun Group has officially launched a VND 3.9 trillion project to develop the new Phan Thiet Airport. Spanning approximately 750,000 sqm, the airport’s Phase 1 will deliver an approximately 18,000 sqm passenger terminal with annual capacity of 2 million passengers, accommodating regular domestic flights and irregular international services. By strengthening accessibility from major cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang as well as key tourist destinations including Phu Quoc, the project is expected to act as a direct demand driver for the surrounding resort market.
Americas
- Long Lake Agrees to Acquire Amex GBT for USD 6.3 Billion: On May 4, Long Lake Management announced a definitive agreement to acquire Amex GBT for USD 9.50 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at USD 6.3 billion. The offer represents a 60.2% premium to the May 1 closing price and a 65.1% premium to the 30-day volume-weighted average price. Major shareholders representing 69% of the equity, including American Express, Expedia, Qatar Investment Authority and BlackRock, have agreed to support the transaction. Following expected closing in the second half of 2026, Amex GBT will be taken private.
- Host Distributes USD 500 Million from Four Seasons Sale Gain: Host Hotels & Resorts, the largest U.S. lodging REIT, approved a Q2 cash dividend of USD 0.92 per share on May 6 through its board of directors. The special dividend distributes approximately USD 500 million in taxable gains arising from the Q1 sale of the 444-key Four Seasons Resort Orlando and the 125-key Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole. The transaction generated an 11.0% unlevered IRR, and is expected to reduce capital expenditure obligations by approximately USD 137 million over the next five years.
Europe
- Urban Partners Acquires 25hours Hotel Indre By: Danish investment firm Urban Partners has acquired the 4-star, 243-key 25hours Hotel Indre By in central Copenhagen from British real estate private equity firm Hines. The asset serves as the centerpiece of a 21,500 sqm mixed-use scheme located within Copenhagen’s city-center retail precinct, and includes 3,100 sqm of high-street retail and 1,000 sqm of residential units in addition to the hotel. The transaction is regarded as evidence of robust institutional demand for Nordic lifestyle hotel assets.
- M&G Real Estate Acquires Travelodge Barcelona: London-based real estate investment manager M&G Real Estate, through its M&G European Property Fund, has acquired the 250-key Travelodge Barcelona Poblenou in Spain for approximately EUR 50 million. The transaction is a textbook institutional deal that combines a stable master-lease income stream backed by Travelodge’s long-term commitment with strong locational fundamentals, and demonstrates that institutional capital’s preference for tenant master-lease-backed assets continues to hold firm.
