Dubai: Global hotel transactions reached $42 billion (Dh154 billion) in the first half of this year, up 55 per cent year-on-year, driven by foreign investment, according to a statement on Monday from real estate consultancy JLL.

The Americas accounted for the largest total deal volumes in the first half at $24 billion, an increase of 73 per cent year-on-year. This is followed by Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), up 55 per cent to $15 billion. The Asia Pacific region, meanwhile, saw a slight decline in investment volumes, down 6 per cent to $4 billion.