China Policy Update — 25 August 2026

policy • 25 August 2026

China’s tourism infrastructure is expanding quickly in the hotel sector, with a **record construction pipeline** and several major hotel groups adding new properties across the country. For Australian travellers, that means more choice in major cities and secondary destinations, especially in the *upscale* and *upper-midscale* segments. [2][5] According to the latest Lodging Econometrics update cited by industry media, China’s hotel construction pipeline reached **3,588 projects and 632,256 rooms** in Q2 2026, and the country opened **500 new hotels** in the first half of the year. The report forecasts another **631 hotels** to open in the second half of 2026, taking full-year openings to **1,131 hotels** with **161,665 rooms**. [2][5] China Daily’s reporting also shows major international brands continuing to expand their footprint: Accor says it is targeting **1,600 hotels in Greater China** within five to six years, while Hilton has now passed the **1,000-hotel** mark in China and says it plans to double that scale in the coming years. [1][13] This suggests travellers can expect broader brand coverage, more airport and business-district hotels, and additional options in emerging leisure markets.

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