IHIF EMEA 2026 - Leisure leads as hospitality shifts toward scale and scarcity
Analysis from IHIF EMEA reveals leisure properties driving investment while urban markets face uncertainty, with Southern Europe emerging as the core geographic focus.
News
Bay Gardens Resorts Donates US$5,000 to CHTA's "One Caribbean" Hurricane Melissa Relief Effort
The Saint Lucian hotel group joins CHTA's regional fundraising effort to help Jamaica's small tourism businesses recover from Hurricane Melissa damage.
Patel Family Office and AHQ launch $1bn ‘AYARA’ Hospitality Platform to develop 50 hotels in Saudi Arabia
The $1 billion deal will create 5,000-7,000 rooms by 2029, targeting Saudi Arabia's underserved mid-market business travel segment through a vertically integrated platform.
Meliá Hotels International makes strategic debut in Tunisia with 3,000-room development plan
Spanish hotel giant will operate five properties through partnership with MHG, starting with 307-room Mahdia resort opening this year.
Hyatt Advances Growth Strategy in EAME with Hyatt Select Debut
Hyatt's first European Hyatt Select will open in Berlin in 2028, part of a strategy to double Essentials portfolio rooms in EAME by 2030.
Tengile MalaMala Collection Launches in South Africa’s Sabi Sand and Malamala Game Reserve
The community-partnered collection unites six lodges along 20 kilometers of Sand River, with new flagship Khensani River Lodge opening December 2026.
Whitbread Grows in Limerick
The 156-room hotel will anchor Opera Square's urban regeneration project and help Whitbread reach its goal of 5,000 Premier Inn rooms across Ireland.
Blue Flag Capital Expands National Footprint with Four New Design-Forward Hotels Debuting Summer 2026
Blue Flag Capital will double its portfolio with four design-focused properties opening summer 2026 across Jackson Hole, Sag Harbor, Montauk, and Greenport.
Blue Flag Capital and CMH
Minor Hotels Introduces Colbert Collection: a New Global Brand Celebrating Culture, Culinary Expression, and Connection
The premium soft brand will debut in Italy in spring 2026, targeting independent hotels seeking global commercial support while preserving local identity.
Dreamscape Hospitality Assumes Management of Courtyard by Marriott Bradenton Sarasota/Riverfront
Dreamscape takes over the 153-room riverfront property in downtown Bradenton effective March 24, expanding its Marriott portfolio.
Marriott International and Sun Group Strengthen Strategic Relationship with the Signing of 10 New Hotels, Expanding Presence within Major Developments in Vietnam
The agreement brings almost 4,500 keys across Phu Quoc and Vung Tau, marking W Hotels and Moxy's Vietnam debut with openings from 2027-2030.
Hilton Strengthens UK Lifestyle Portfolio with Two New Tapestry Collection by Hilton Hotels
Two hotels in Plymouth and Cork will open in 2027, marking Hilton's entry into both maritime cities with 223 combined rooms.
Choosing the Right Brand: When To Partner and When To Go Independent
The guide examines franchise costs versus performance benefits, using a Tucson case study where dropping a weak brand and going independent improved performance from 75% to 100% fair share.
By Bob Rauch, President of RAR Hospitality, R.A. Rauch & Associates, Inc.
Island Hospitality Management Assumes Management of Homewood Suites by Hilton Palo Alto
Island Hospitality Management takes over the 138-suite property in Silicon Valley, expanding their West Coast portfolio with a tech-focused extended-stay hotel.
OTH Hotels Resorts Continues East Coast Expansion with Two Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Hotels
Virginia-based management company adds 400 rooms through Courtyard and Wyndham properties, bringing its portfolio to 18 hotels.
Veriu Group unveils extensive refurbishment of Punthill Essendon and Punthill Williamstown
The $1.6 million investment across 98 total keys included new furniture, upgraded technology, and improved connectivity over nine weeks.
The Lawrence Hotel Announces Leadership Team Ahead of Summer 2026 Opening
The 120-room boutique property will be Lawrenceville's first full-service hotel, featuring two dining concepts and 6,000 square feet of event space.
HAMA Europe announces Brookfield Asset Management as the winner of the 10th Annual Asset Management Achievement Award
Brookfield transformed the 414-key Barcelona property with a €28 million renovation and Moxy rebrand, significantly increasing asset value over four years.
Radisson Hotel Group leads in European upper-upscale and resorts segments, while building momentum into 2026
The group signed 272 new hotels in 2025, with China accounting for 170 properties and India reaching 200 hotels in operation and development.
Leonardo Hotels – début in Portugal and strategic expansion in Italy and Poland
Leonardo Hotels Central Europe plans to enter Portugal in October 2026 with a 132-room historic property in Lisbon while expanding in Italy and Poland.