Radisson adds 160 hotels in H1 as conversions offset capital costs
Radisson Hotel Group expanded its portfolio by 160 properties in the first half of 2026, relying heavily on conversions to navigate high European construction and capital costs while accelerating expansion in emerging markets.
Radisson Hotel Group signed or opened 160 hotels representing over 22,000 rooms in the first half of 2026, bringing its total portfolio to more than 1,620 properties across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.
Conversions accounted for 40 percent of this first-half growth. This strategy is mitigating the impact of elevated capital and construction costs that are currently challenging new-build economics in Europe.
“The economic fundamentals for hotel development continue to face some challenges considering the increased cost of capital and high construction costs,” said Elie Younes, executive vice president and global chief development officer. “But in spite of the challenges, the team has had good success in terms of hotel signings and openings so far this year, especially in the European market.”
While Europe remains active, the group is directing significant development capital toward emerging markets. Younes cited favourable demographics and rising domestic travel demand as the primary drivers across Asia Pacific and Africa.
India represents the group's most aggressive growth target. Radisson signed or opened 22 hotels there in the first half, expanding its operational footprint to 142 properties across 86 cities. The company's India Vision 2030 plan targets a portfolio of 500 hotels, a leap driven by a development pipeline of nearly 100 properties.
“India is one of the most promising hotel development markets in the world today,” Younes said. “Demand continues to outpace supply, infrastructure is improving rapidly, and owner confidence remains high.”
In China, Radisson operates more than 260 hotels, with ongoing expansion into lower-tier cities. The group also crossed a milestone of 100 hotels in Africa, with recent development traction in Nigeria, South Africa, and Morocco.
To sustain this momentum, Younes emphasized that securing investor capital requires a localized approach to meet owner demands for responsiveness, approachability, and returns. “You do not respond to your owners from the office, but from the ground where the owners are located,” he said.
