Tourexpi
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
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