The global hotel construction pipeline reached an all-time high of 15,976 projects comprising 2.43 million rooms at the end of the second quarter of 2026, reflecting continued expansion in hospitality investment across major tourism markets.
According to the latest Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report by Lodging Econometrics, 6,174 projects with 1.04 million rooms were under construction worldwide at the end of Q2, while another 3,743 projects and 530,326 rooms were scheduled to begin construction within the following 12 months.
The pipeline’s early planning stage also reached a record 6,059 projects representing 860,332 rooms, up 5% in project count and 8% in rooms year-on-year. During the quarter, developers announced 974 new hotel projects, equivalent to 138,743 rooms, while construction commenced on 602 projects with 83,232 rooms. Africa recorded one of the strongest regional performances, with its hotel development pipeline reaching a record 343 projects and 52,526 rooms. The continent’s pipeline grew 15% in project count and 16% in rooms compared with the same period in 2025.
The growth places Africa among the regions attracting increasing hospitality investment as developers respond to rising demand for accommodation, tourism and business travel infrastructure. The Middle East also recorded a new high of 724 projects and 178,003 rooms, representing an 11% year-on-year increase in projects. Asia Pacific remained the world’s largest regional pipeline, with 6,094 projects and 1.09 million rooms, up 4% in project numbers.
The United States continued to lead individual markets with 5,975 projects and 703,001 rooms, followed by China, which had 3,588 projects and 632,256 rooms. Together, the two countries accounted for 59% of projects in the global hotel construction pipeline. India also recorded significant growth, reaching a record 1,033 projects and 137,601 rooms, representing year-on-year increases of 36% and 39%, respectively. Saudi Arabia recorded 387 projects and 105,648 rooms, also setting new highs.
Growth was recorded across several hotel segments. The luxury pipeline reached 1,385 projects and 257,947 rooms, while upper-upscale hotels stood at 1,923 projects and 396,483 rooms. The upscale segment recorded a record 3,918 projects and 659,976 rooms, while upper-midscale hotels reached 4,632 projects and 578,432 rooms. Hotel conversions and renovations are also gaining momentum, with the global brand conversion pipeline reaching a record 2,927 projects and 351,257 rooms, up 12% in projects and 17% in rooms year-on-year.
The expansion is expected to translate into significant additions to global hotel supply. In 2025, 2,438 new hotels opened worldwide, adding 332,699 rooms. Lodging Econometrics forecasts 2,742 new hotels with 379,921 rooms to open by the end of 2026. For 2027, it projects 2,590 new hotels and 389,412 rooms, while its initial forecast for 2028 anticipates another 2,499 openings comprising 361,430 rooms.
The record pipeline signals sustained confidence in the long-term prospects of the global hospitality industry, while Africa’s double-digit growth highlights the continent’s increasing position in the international hotel investment landscape.
