Global Hotel Boom: Shanghai, London, and Dubai Lead 2026 Room Openings :: Hospitality Trends

• Major cities like Shanghai, London, and Dubai are set to add thousands of new hotel rooms by 2026, signaling strong growth in global travel demand. 
• The Asia Pacific region is expected to see the largest increase in hotel room openings, followed by significant expansions in Europe, the Middle East & Africa, and the Americas.

The global hotel industry is gearing up for significant expansion, with Shanghai, London, and Dubai emerging as frontrunners for new hotel room openings in 2026. According to recent CoStar data, these cities are expected to add thousands of rooms, reflecting renewed confidence in travel and tourism.

In the Asia Pacific region, hotel development is accelerating rapidly. Shanghai tops the list with a projected 7,457 new rooms, followed by Beijing with 3,991. The region as a whole is set to open over 251,000 rooms in 2026, a substantial increase from the nearly 190,000 rooms opened in 2025.

Europe is also experiencing a surge in hotel construction. London is expected to lead with 5,822 new rooms, followed by Istanbul with 3,017. The continent’s total projected room openings for 2026 stand at nearly 124,000, more than doubling the previous year’s total.

The Middle East and Africa are not far behind, with Dubai planning to add 5,053 rooms and Qatar 2,406. The region’s total projected room openings for 2026 reach 54,238, almost tripling the 2025 figure.

In the Americas, the U.S. continues to dominate hotel development. New York City is set to add 4,852 new rooms, while Phoenix is set to add 3,650. Cancun also stands out in the region with 1,839 new rooms. Overall, the Americas are expected to see more than 132,000 new hotel rooms open in 2026.

This surge in hotel openings highlights the industry’s optimism about the future of global travel. As cities invest in new accommodations, travelers can look forward to more choices and enhanced experiences in the years ahead.