Marriott confirms six new UAE and KSA properties

Marriott International has confirmed the addition of six properties to its Middle East pipeline, with three in the UAE and another three in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, its acquisition of Protea Hospitality Holding is set to add a further eight properties in Africa to its portfolio.

The company revealed details about the new properties on the first day of the Arabian Hotel Conference, which is taking place in Dubai.

It has signed a long term agreement with RDK Tourism Investment LLC to manage the new 312-room Renaissance Dubai Downtown Hotel, which is scheduled to open in 2015. It will be the third Renaissance property in the region.

Marriott International has also confirmed a further two properties will open in the new outdoor lifestyle concept by Meraas Holding: Dubai Marriott Hotel Citywalk and Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai City Walk.

Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia it is to open Courtyard by Marriott Al Khobar and Residence Inn by Marriott Al Khobar. It has also confirmed the opening of Residence Inn by Marriott Jazan is set for Q4 of 2014.

Another recent signing in Saudi Arabia was the Jeddah Marriott Hotel which has 283 rooms and is projected to open in late 2016.

Marriott International president & managing director, Middle East and Africa Continent Alex Kyriakidis said: “Marriott International’s fast growing footprint across the Middle East and Africa is a response to the huge potential we continue to observe in the region. At present the Gulf economies are experiencing strong GDP growth which translates into opportunity for our industry.

“Naturally, as a leading player in the hospitality industry, Marriott International is keen to convert these opportunities. The recent acquisition of Protea Hospitality Holding is a case in point and while we are now the largest hotel operator in Africa our ambitions are undimmed.”

The acquisition of Protea Hospitality, finalised earlier this year, adds eight hotels with a total of 890 rooms to its Africa pipeline. Marriott is also opening another five properties in Africa by Q1 of 2015 in South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana and Rwanda.

With the latest announcement, Marriott International’s MEA pipeline stands at 161 properties across 18 countries, offering a total of 23,701 rooms and spanning 8 brands

Marriott has also revealed that the 200-room, upscale Marriott Hotels & Resort in Erbil, Iraq has been upgraded and re-signed to a JW Marriott Hotel, while the 75-unit deluxe Marriott Executive Apartments property will remain as previously announced. Both are planned to open simultaneously in 2017 and will mark the company’s entry into Iraq.