New research from Jones Lang LaSalle’s Hotels & Hospitality Group has revealed that hotel investment volumes in Asia have increased 145% since last year.
Mike Batchelor, Managing Director of Investment Sales at H&H, Jones Lang LaSalle, said: “Hotel trading performance in Asia has experienced a significant turnaround over the past two years and nowhere more so than in Singapore. This quarter’s landmark transaction of the Grand Park Orchard Hotel and adjoining Knightsbridge retail podium heralded the single largest asset deal in the city’s history. Going forward, we are aware of approximately $1.3 billion in exchanged contracts that will contribute to a very strong pipeline over the remainder of the year.”
“As investor confidence in the region continues to rally, the availability of investment grade hotels is becoming increasingly scarce as, as a result, we are seeing buyers turn their attention towards markets such as Thailand, Seychelles and the Maldives,” he added. “The Maldives is proving a particular hotspot where contracts have just been exchanged on what will be our fourth transaction in the country in as little as two years.”
He continued, “While the market is beginning to feel some restriction from a limited pipeline of hotel listings, the unrelenting strength of demand across both private and institutional investors will ensure that transaction volumes remain healthy. Given the volume of hotel deals that are due to settle before year-end, we are increasing our regional full year total sales projection from $3.5 billion to $5.5.billion, confirming 2013 as the strongest year since 2008.”