2026/03/30 – 2026/04/12
Korea
- Traffic Inducement Fee Cut for 4–5-Star Tourist Hotels: The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has finalized a plan to reduce the traffic inducement coefficient for 4- and 5-star tourist hotels by up to 37%, varying by city size. In cities with populations of one million or more, the coefficient will be adjusted from 2.62 to 1.64, enabling large tourist hotels in the Seoul metropolitan area to cut annual costs by tens of millions to hundreds of millions of won. Key beneficiaries are expected to include Paradise Group’s ultra-luxury tourist hotel in Jangchung-dong, Inscape Yangyang, and L7 Cheongnyangni — all scheduled to open in 2026 or later — with the measure expected to accelerate investment in new development and renovation.
- Seoul Tourist Hotel Supply Set to Pick Up in 2026: According to a JLL report, new supply was limited in 2025, including the postponement of L7 Cheongnyangni (260 keys) originally slated for Q4, but 2026 is expected to see a wave of delayed openings, including Hyatt Place Pangyo (206 keys) and Maison Delano Seoul (133 keys). Following the completion of major tourist hotel transactions — including the Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun and Four Points by Sheraton Myeongdong — in Q4 2025, deal volume and frequency are expected to expand further in 2026, supported by the continued global popularity of the Korean Wave, recovering Chinese visitor numbers, and a weaker Korean won.
APAC
- Nomura Acquires Centara Grand Hotel Osaka: Nomura Real Asset Investment, together with Nomura Holdings and Nomura Real Estate Holdings, established a private real estate fund to acquire the 515-key Centara Grand Hotel Osaka in Namba, Osaka from a joint venture led by Thailand’s Centara Hotels & Resorts, for JPY 38.5 billion — approximately JPY 74.8 million per key. Opened in 2023, the hotel will continue to be operated by Centara. The transaction was completed at a premium of more than 70% over the asset’s book value of JPY 22.57 billion, underscoring strong investor appetite for stabilized assets in the Osaka market.
- IHG Launches Noted Collection: IHG Hotels & Resorts has unveiled Noted Collection, its 21st brand and 11th new brand in as many years. Positioned as a conversion brand targeting upscale and upper-upscale independent hotels, the collection aims to grow to more than 150 properties globally within the next decade. The brand targets hotel owners who wish to retain their property’s individual identity while gaining access to IHG’s loyalty program of over 160 million members and its global distribution platform, with an initial rollout focused on Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
Americas
- Construction Financing Secured for Ritz-Carlton Savannah: Walker & Dunlop has arranged a USD 104.5 million construction loan from The LCP Group to finance the development of the Ritz-Carlton Savannah, located in the heart of Savannah’s Historic District, Georgia. The project involves the adaptive reuse of two historic office buildings — originally constructed in 1911 as Savannah’s first skyscraper and designated historic structures — into a 168-key Ritz-Carlton hotel, utilizing federal and state historic rehabilitation tax credits as well as local property tax abatement programs. The hotel is expected to open in 2028, addressing clear demand for high-end accommodations in a supply-constrained historic district.
- Ashford Sells Six Hotels: Ashford Hospitality Trust has completed the sale of four hotels — Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront, La Posada de Santa Fe, Hilton Alexandria Old Town, and Embassy Suites by Hilton Palm Beach Gardens — as part of its ongoing portfolio optimization strategy, generating USD 252.5 million in gross proceeds. In addition, the company has entered into definitive agreements to sell two further properties: Lakeway Resort & Spa (168 keys, USD 37.8 million) and Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas (150 keys, USD 17.0 million). Proceeds will primarily be used to pay down mortgage debt.
Europe
- Mutuactivos Launches Southern Europe Hotel Investment Fund: Mutuactivos, the asset management subsidiary of Spanish insurer Mutua Madrileña, has partnered with alternative investment specialist Stoneweg to launch Mutuafondo Hospitality — its first real estate private equity fund — targeting hotel and leisure assets in Spain, Portugal, and Italy, with a target size of EUR 300 million. The fund adopts a value-add strategy, pursuing both stabilized operating assets and properties requiring repositioning or refurbishment, with Stoneweg serving as strategic advisor for deal sourcing and asset management.
- Minor Hotels Launches Colbert Collection Soft Brand: Minor Hotels, a global operator with over 640 properties, has introduced Colbert Collection, a new premium soft brand, with its inaugural property scheduled to open in Italy in spring 2026. Further expansion is planned across the UK, Spain, Austria, and the UAE. The brand adopts an asset-light model centered on management and franchise agreements, designed to allow independent hotels to retain their individual character while benefiting from global distribution systems, revenue management capabilities, and loyalty program support.
