Wyndham expands footprint in South Korea with first managed hotel

International

Opening in Gangwon and new projects in Seoul and Busan underscore confidence in a fast-rebounding market

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is accelerating its growth in South Korea, marking a milestone with the opening of its first managed hotel while adding two new development projects in Seoul and Busan. The move reflects Wyndham’s strategy to build scale in a market recovering faster than much of Northeast Asia, supported by resilient domestic travel and a steady return of international visitors.

First managed opening anchors local strategy

The company has opened the 529-room Wyndham Goseong, Gangwon, located near Seoraksan National Park. In parallel, Wyndham has signed agreements for Howard Johnson by Wyndham Seoul, expected to open in 2028, and Wyndham Busan, slated for 2030.

Market rebound supports investment

South Korea’s tourism recovery continues to gather momentum. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, the country welcomed 15.821 million inbound visitors between January and October, a 15.2 percent increase year on year. Industry executives anticipate international demand to keep improving into 2025, underpinning further investment in branded accommodation across both urban and resort destinations.

Leadership view on growth and value creation

Ben Schumacher, Regional Vice President, Operations, APAC at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, points to the strategic rationale behind the expansion: “South Korea's booming tourism market presents a compelling opportunity for Wyndham, which is why we're focused on strategic expansion and strengthening our presence through high-caliber additions like Wyndham Goseong, Gangwon. With global scale, an industry-leading loyalty platform, and deep local expertise, Wyndham has a proven record of helping owners not only drive performance, but generate long-term value while delivering exceptional guest experiences.”

Coastal retreat with MICE focus

As Wyndham’s first managed hotel in the country, Wyndham Goseong, Gangwon represents a key operational milestone. The ocean-view property sits adjacent to Bongpo Beach and Seoraksan National Park and is designed to cater to leisure travelers, families and MICE groups, positioning it as both a resort destination and an events venue.

Broader portfolio momentum

Over the past two years, Wyndham has broadened its South Korean presence through new brands and operating models, including the introduction of Wyndham Grand in 2023 and Trademark Collection by Wyndham in 2024. These additions build on an established local portfolio of 30 hotels with more than 9,200 rooms across brands such as Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Ramada Plaza, Ramada, Ramada Encore, Ramada Hotel & Suites, Wyndham Grand and Trademark Collection, enabling Wyndham to serve diverse traveler segments while supporting owners with scalable, globally recognized brands.