Jones Lang LaSalle has announced the creation of a specialist hotels division within its Project and Development Services Group in Asia Pacific.

The move is designed to drive business growth in project management, refurbishment and construction advisory services specific to the hotel industry.

Peter Barge, CEO of Jones Lang LaSalle Asia Pacific, said he believes the region will offer strong demand for hotel services.

“Having weathered the Asian crisis of 1997, SARS in 2003 and the period of world instability, many Asian hotel investors have deferred capital expenditure on their hotels in recent years,” he said.

“Now, as the markets recover, we forsee many investors undertaking hotel refurbishments to re-align their properties with the latest market trends and enhance their return on investment.”

The hotels division will be lead by Stephen Holliday – previously general manager, hotels and leisure, Asia Pacific, for Bovis Lend Lease – who will become Jones Lang LaSalle’s Asia Pacific director of hotel project services.

His appointment follows that of Vince Jones last month, also formerly of Bovis Lend Lease, to lead the Australian arm of Jones Lang LaSalle’s Project and Development Services division.