The South East Asia Hotel Investor's Summit (SEAHIS) kicked off its ninth run at the Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort in Bangkok today, 14th June.

HOFTEL’s for owners/by owners event will again direct the hospitality investment sector towards discussions that reflect its rapidly evolving nature, especially in today’s volatile geoeconomic climate.

Likewise, this year’s conference introduces the Bangkok edition of the Branded Residences Investors’ Summit, an addition done in partnership with Bill Barnett of C9 Hotelworks.

As HOFTEL chairman and chief executive Simon Allison said in his opening remarks:”If this conference is any indication of the Asian hotel sector, it's pretty robust. We have the most speakers we've ever had; the most sessions, the most attendees, the most sponsors, and, by far, the most hotel-owning groups. [But] it's not just people, it's groups; so that's quite a lot.”

The professionals are listening

Allison pointed out that 53 percent of this year’s audience mix is made up of sectoral investors and  hotel owners.

It is also important to note that 14 percent of this year’s attendees are from the brand of hotel management side of the business.

Allison said that the audience mix is a good one for investors seeking dialogue or investment opportunities with both brands and independent players.

This year’s programme is also significantly more diverse than last year’s, with round table discussions on rising markets like Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines, as well as the evolving markets beyond the region like Japan, South Korea, and China.

Topics also range from the longstanding debate between staying independent and taking a franchise, the ongoing growth of the wellness and luxury hospitality sectors, as well as the shifting profile of those investing in hospitality and high-end residential real estate.

Allison wrapped up the welcome by announcing that the second edition of the Japan and North East Asia Hotel Investors’ Summit (JHIS) will be staged at the Hilton Tokyo Odaiba from 24th to 25th September of this year, taking the conversation to another dynamic region.