SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA—Wyndham Hotel Group is set to expand its presence in South Korea by more than 200% over the next three years thanks to the signings of 12 new property franchise agreements so far in 2015, including agreements for three Howard Johnson hotels, marking the brand’s entry into South Korea.
This year’s signings build upon another 14 franchise agreements in South Korea executed by Wyndham Hotel Group in 2014, bringing the company’s pipeline in the country to more than 7,550 rooms within 26 new-construction hotels under the Ramada, Days Inn and Howard Johnson brand flags. Currently, Wyndham Hotel Group has 13 properties and more than 2,800 rooms open and operating in the country.
The new properties, consisting of 17 Ramadas, six Days Inns and three Howard Johnsons, are expected to open by 2018. They will be located across South Korea, including Seoul, Pyeongtaek and Jeju Island. The first of these new locations, Ramada Encore Jeju Seogwipo, opened on June 30.
Wyndham Hotel Group introduced its Days Inn brand to the country in 2014 with the opening of the 64-room Days Inn Seoul Myeong-dong, located the heart of South Korea’s capital city.
“With its increasing popularity among tourists, natural beauty, trend-setting technological marvels and upcoming world events like the 2018 Winter Olympics, South Korea plays a key role in our growth in the region,” said Barry Robinson, president and managing director, Southeast Asia and Pacific Rim, Wyndham Hotel Group. “There are great opportunities for economy and midscale hotel development throughout the country, and we will continue to look for ways to capitalize on the impressive growth in both visitor arrivals and visitor spending to provide guests with world-class properties and service in exciting, desirable locations.”
The expansion in South Korea follows Wyndham Hotel Group’s recently announced growth in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Rim, including new properties in Thailand, Malaysia, New Zealand, Vanuatu and Australia. Globally, the hotel group’s portfolio consists of approximately 7,700 hotels in 71 countries, including more than 70 hotels currently open and operating throughout Southeast Asia and Pacific Rim.