Questex’s International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF) Asia concluded successfully in Hong Kong SAR, marking a significant return to the region and reaffirming the company’s long-term commitment to hospitality investment. The event, held on September 13, 2024, drew over 500 delegates from 27 countries, including 185 hotel investors responsible for managing over US$216 billion in hotel investments. This impressive turnout highlighted the growing interest in the Asian hospitality sector and the forum’s position as a key platform for exploring new growth opportunities.
Discussions at IHIF Asia emphasized the remarkable recovery of the hospitality industry from the COVID-19 pandemic. Industry leaders highlighted the sector’s resilience and its emergence as a promising avenue for investment. Renowned speakers, including Kenneth Gaw of Gaw Capital Partners and Dr. Sabine Schaffer of Pro-invest Group, discussed hospitality as a reliable hedge against inflation and a sector driven by rising consumer demand, particularly with the expansion of the Asian middle class.
The forum also focused on geographic growth, emphasizing Japan, Southeast Asia, and Hong Kong SAR as key markets for long-term investments. These regions were identified as having substantial growth potential, driven by a burgeoning middle class, increased travel demand, and robust economic conditions.
IHIF Asia featured insightful discussions on operational strategies and risk management, where leading industry professionals from Nina Hospitality, Ares Management Corporation, and Pro-invest Group shared their expertise. These experts discussed the importance of in-house management and operational enhancements such as capital expenditure (capex) initiatives and business improvements as ways to add value and mitigate risks in the hospitality sector.
This hands-on approach was further illustrated by the Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG), which recently expanded its portfolio by acquiring a majority stake in Maximal Concepts, a leading hospitality company that includes the renowned Mott 32 brand. This acquisition highlights the dynamic growth within the hospitality sector and the increasing opportunities for investors to capitalize on strategic acquisitions and expansions.
Alexi Khajavi, Group President of Hospitality, Travel, and Wellness at Questex, reaffirmed the company’s long-term dedication to the region. He emphasized that the return to Hong Kong SAR marks an important milestone in Questex’s decade-long commitment to Asia, reinforcing the strategic importance of the region in the global hospitality investment landscape. Khajavi also highlighted the forum’s agenda, which addressed the critical factors shaping hospitality and tourism investments across Asia.
The IHIF Asia event demonstrated Questex’s pivotal role in driving the evolution and growth of the hospitality industry, both regionally and globally, by fostering meaningful connections and dialogue among industry stakeholders.
