Seoul Hosts LHW Asia-Pacific Membership Summit

On June 4, 2026, The Shilla Seoul welcomed representatives from The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) Asia-Pacific member properties for their annual summit. Seoul Economic Daily reports that approximately 60 luxury hotel executives, including LHW CEO Shannon Knapp, attended the event at the hotel's Jangchung-dong guest house.

LHW, established in New York in 1928, operates as a global alliance exclusively for independent luxury hotels. Membership requires exceeding a stringent screening process. The cartel currently comprises around 400 five-star establishments spanning over 80 countries.

Our take: This event underscores Seoul's growing prominence as a luxury hospitality hub. For LHW, bringing its regional meeting to Asia for the first time is a strategic move, acknowledging the continent's dynamic market and the increasing influence of its luxury properties. It signifies a clear focus on strengthening ties within this critical growth area.