H World Expands JI Hotel Brand to Malaysia and Cambodia - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

H World Group Limited (NASDAQ: HTHT; HK: 01179), a leading global hospitality group, has announced the signing of three new JI Hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The move marks the group’s entry into Malaysia and further strengthens the regional presence of its flagship midscale brand, JI Hotel, in Southeast Asia.

First JI Hotel in Malaysia

The JI Hotel Downtown Kuala Lumpur, developed in partnership with Saadiq Tri Venture, will open in Q4 2026. Located in the Dang Wangi district, the 101-room property will showcase the latest JI Hotel 5.0 design, combining oriental aesthetics with modern comfort.

“We highly value the proven success and reputation of the JI Hotel brand and look forward to bringing high-quality, value-driven hospitality to Kuala Lumpur,” said Yang Shengwu, Chairman of Saadiq Tri Venture.

Strengthening Cambodia Presence

Two additional signings in Phnom Penh highlight H World’s confidence in Cambodia’s growing midscale market:

·         JI Hotel Phnom Penh City Center: A 130-room property in the capital’s central business and government district, set to open in Q2 2026 after the transformation of an existing building.

·         “Midscale and upper-midscale business demand in Phnom Penh is growing rapidly. The standardized yet flexible JI Hotel model will ensure sustainable long-term success,” said Liu Guangyu, investor of the City Center property.

·         JI Hotel Phnom Penh Mekong Riverside: A 110-room new-build hotel overlooking the Mekong River, scheduled to open in Q3 2026. It will integrate Khmer cultural elements into JI Hotel’s philosophy of oriental design.

·         “We aim to create a distinctive stay experience that reshapes Phnom Penh’s hospitality landscape,” said Seng Leng, investor of the Mekong Riverside project.

Expanding the Southeast Asia Portfolio

Murphy Zhu, President of H World Asia Pacific, emphasized the strategic importance of the expansion:

“By introducing JI Hotel to Malaysia and deepening our presence in Cambodia, we are extending the international reach of one of our flagship brands. Beyond this, we bring H World’s supply chain, development expertise, and digital capabilities to our partners across the region.”

The new signings follow a wave of expansion across Asia Pacific:

·         July 2025: Signing of Steigenberger Phnom Penh, the first Steigenberger property in Cambodia.

·         May 2025: Entry into Laos with four signings in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, introducing IntercityHotel, Orange, and JI Hotel to the country. The Orange Hotel project marked the brand’s first venture outside China.

·         December 2024: Opening of MAXX Phnom Penh Downtown, MAXX’s debut in Asia Pacific.

The announcement coincided with the sixth anniversary of JI Hotel Orchard Road Singapore, the brand’s first overseas property, which has demonstrated sustained success since opening.

Outlook

“Looking ahead, H World will continue to expand across Asia Pacific with a standardized yet locally adapted model. Step by step, we are creating long-term value for both travelers and investors, and strengthening the global influence of Chinese hotel brands within the international hospitality landscape,” said Zhu.

Image Credit: © H World