Tourexpi
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.
Image
Credit: © Wyndham Hotels
& Resorts Asia Pacific
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