Starwood to expand W globally within three years

Starwood Hotels and Resorts is planning to expand its W hotel brand worldwide over the next three years, with four new openings already on the cards for the Middle East and North Africa.

New W hotels coming to the region include W Tel Aviv (due to launch in June 2013), W Amman Hotel (January 2014), W Muscat (January 2014) and W Abu Dhabi (January 2013). 

Bu the US group, which operates a franchise model, is looking at increasing the number of W hotels it has in the Middle East, as well as Europe, Asia and Latin America.

CEO Frits van Paasschen revealed the group's global expansion plans - expected to create 8000 jobs and 4700 rooms worldwide - in an interview with UK newspaper Sunday Telegraph. 

Starwood opened its first W in Leicester Square, London, last year. 

There are currently 42 W Hotels operating worldwide - with a concentration in the US - but only one in the Middle East, the W Doha Hotel and Residences.