Questex's IHIF Asia Achieves Unprecedented Deal-Making Activity as $280 Billion Captures APAC Hotel Market
The IHIF Asia event broke attendance records and showcased significant capital engagement in the APAC hotel sector.
Questex’s IHIF Asia: Transforming the Hotel Investment Landscape
Questex’s IHIF Asia has solidified its standing as the leading hotel investment platform in the APAC region, holding three days of impactful deal-making and insightful discussions. The conference welcomed over 520 professionals from 33 nations, with an impressive representation of investors managing a total of $280 billion in assets under management (AUM), marking a 33% increase from the $210 billion during the previous year’s event.
The acquisition of the Ace Hotel Group by Seibu Prince Hotels, initiated at the IHIF Asia 2024, underscores the conference’s pivotal role in facilitating deals that transform the hotel sector’s landscape.
Stronger Market Outlines Evolving Investment Sources
This year’s event saw a marked rise in participants from China and Japan, highlighting a shift towards new financing sources in hospitality. Notable private equity firms such as Blackstone, BlackRock, Brookfield, Bain Capital, and Fortress Group were in attendance, alongside major investment banks like Goldman Sachs, showcasing the sector’s increasing sophistication.
Chinese groups like Delonix, Huamao, JinJiang, SSAW Group, and Funyard Hotels & Resorts displayed a robust presence, while Japanese entities have also ramped up participation, signaling a dynamic two-way capital flow.
Tactical Insights for Investment Decision-Making
Strategic sessions at the forum provided vital market intelligence, shaping capital investment choices throughout the region. Investor focus was evident on high-potential assets in major metropolitan areas such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, and Sydney. Developing markets in Southeast Asia and India have become key targets for expansion, while technology-enhanced hospitality solutions drew attention for their impacts on returns.
Investor collaboration between Western entities and Asian firms aims to mitigate risks while bringing best practices from established markets. The IHIF Asia Digital extension of the program is set to reach a wider audience within the hospitality investment community.
