Asia Pacific hotel investors’ expectations for short and medium-term trading continues its upward trend with a 22% growth posted in the last two years, according to an investor sentiment survey conducted by Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels.

Ho Chi Minh City, Perth and Hong Kong ranked highest for buyer sentiment at 45.5% each, despite global sales plummeting in 2008 and 2009.

These were followed by Singapore with 44.4%, Brisbane 43.2%, Chengdu 42.9%, Tokyo 42.9% and Sydney with 42.6%.

Asia Pacific hotel transactions exceeded the Americas in terms of total sales volume last year.

The survey forecasted $3.7bn for the region amounting to 27% of global sales while global transaction volume may reach $12.8bn this year, according to VNS.