Link: Gamers who prefer playing together are fueling demand for esports hotels across China; research firm Niko Partners says China has more than 21,000 such hotels (Bloomberg)

Zhu Hao enjoys weekend getaways at a gamer hotel in Shenzhen, reveling in endless gaming sessions without parental interruptions. With friends, they stay up late playing popular games like League of Legends, comfortably accommodated in rooms designed for gamers.

The Jinnang E-Sports Pan-Entertainment Hotel, where Zhu stays, caters specifically to gaming enthusiasts with luxury setups and on-demand food services. This hospitality niche is booming across Asia, driven by a cultural shift towards more leisure-focused lifestyles among the younger generation.

Zhang Zijun, manager of a competing hotel, notes that their young clientele prioritize comfort and gaming over cost, often extending their stays. This trend reflects a broader shift in social activities, where gaming in hotels has become a cost-effective alternative to traditional venues, especially post-Covid.

Hotels like the E-Blue Esports Hotel provide a futuristic ambiance with high-tech gaming facilities, illustrating the fierce competition in this growing market. Esports hotels have flourished as cheaper, social alternatives to gaming at home.

China sees esports as an economic opportunity, regulating the industry while promoting its growth. The influx of new games like Black Myth: Wukong boosts the demand for gaming-related hospitality, highlighting its potential revenue.

As the esports hotel market expands, entities like Fosun International and SEM9 are innovating in integrating esports with cultural tourism, signifying substantial growth and opportunity in the sector. #

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