The first half of this year has been largely uneventful compared to the last 13 six-month periods we have been monitoring in EMEA. Aside from unrest in Ukraine, there have been no new major conflicts. As a result, economic recovery is beginning to take hold across the region and certain markets are booming in terms of new development and hotel performance levels.

The "double-hot" markets (where strong performances are coupled with high levels of new development) of London and Dubai continue to expand with apparent ease. It remains to be seen if the "simply hot" markets like Amsterdam, Edinburgh and Dublin will have sufficient stamina to drive new development in the near future.

Our feelings go out to those markets and their people where performance levels have been badly hit through geo-politcal issues and unrest, including the great cities of Cairo, Istanbul and Moscow.

It is evident that with relative stability and renewed growth prospects, the transaction space in EMEA has picked up in the first six months of 2014, with a significant number of portfolio deals already concluded across Europe and a landmark deal in Africa (where Marriott International acquired Protea Hotels).

Our special feature for this edition is based on an interogation of our London new supply tracker, referencing data from 2011 to 2018 and including a large number of "unscheduled" new openings in the city.

Philip Camble Director, Whitebridge Hospitality Editor, EMEA Hotels Monitor

Jasmijn Muller
Consultant
Whitebridge Hospitality