Maldives included among Asian countries with strongest investment in tourism

The Maldives has been included among Asian countries with the strongest investment in the tourism sector.

Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) has revealed in a new report that hotel investments in Asia are at their highest level since 2008.

The report states that hotel transaction volumes in Asia reached $1.3 billion in the first half of 2013, an 85 percent increase compared the same period in 2012.

JLL said that this rise was due to increased investment in Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo, as well as “opportunistic deals in emerging markets such as Thailand and the Maldives”.

The report also mentioned the sale of Angsana Velavaru for $71 million.

Mike Batchelor, JLL’s managing director of investment sales for hotels and hospitality, said, “During the first half of 2013, we have seen a growing number of transactions, including those at the portfolio level, and improved investor sentiment translate to increased sales. The divergence between vendor and purchaser expectations that served to restrict investment activity in 2012, has improved this year leading to a number of landmark transactions in the first half.”

JLL said that transaction volumes in Asia could reach $3 billion by the end of the year.