Europe is forecast to open just over 300 new hotels during 2026 fuelled by growth in luxury and upscale properties, according to the latest “pipeline” report from industry analyst Lodging Econometrics (LE).
The hotel development report said that 112 new European properties opened in the first half of 2026, adding just under 14,000 rooms in total. The second half of the year is set to see another 195 hotels open in Europe, which will collectively account for around 26,000 rooms.
LE’s forecast of 307 new hotels in Europe in 2026 would represent an 18 per cent rise on last year’s total of 259 new properties across the continent. But it is a reduction on its May forecast of 319 new properties opening in Europe this year.
Luxury and upscale chain projects have reached “record highs” for hotel developments, accounting for nearly 900 projects across Europe. The number of midscale chain properties is estimated at just under 500 hotels.
The UK and London continue to lead the way in Europe for new hotel development. The UK has 263 projects in the pipeline – well ahead of Turkey (156 hotels), Germany (146) and France (117).
While London has 70 projects in various stages of development, with Istanbul (44 hotels) in second place, followed by Lisbon (40 projects) and Hamburg (25).
LE is forecasting a stable level of new European hotels in both 2027 and 2028, with just over 300 properties forecast to open in each year.
In its global report, LE found that there was an “all time high” number of hotel projects during Q2, with just under 16,000 developments in the pipeline worldwide, which could add nearly 2.5 million rooms. This includes just over 6,000 projects already under construction.