Movenpick reveals big growth plans for Middle East

Ahead of ATM 2015, Swiss hotel brand Movenpick has announced their plans to build 10 hotels in the Middle East over the next five years.

The focus on expansion in the region comes on the back of the region’s huge growth in visitors in 2014, particularly to Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Qatar.

Andreas Mattmüller, COO, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, Middle East and Asia, said: “Our timing could not be better as the Middle East looks set to embark on an unprecedented growth phase, fuelled by a combination of renewed consumer confidence and increased regional public and private infrastructure investment, in addition to upcoming mega events such as the World Expo 2020 in Dubai and the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which call for funds to be ploughed into supporting developments.”

The brand, which currently operates 30 hotels in the region, has four more properties coming up in Dubai: Mövenpick Hotel & Residence Jumeirah Lake Towers, Mövenpick Residence at the Square, The Royal Amwaj Resort & Spa and Oceana Hotel & Spa.

Saudi Arabia is also in the Swiss brand’s spotlight, with two properties opening in the Kingdom this year: one in Jeddah and one in Riyadh. A third hotel in Al Khobar will open in 2016.

The company will be showcasing 26 properties from its stand at this year’s Arabian Travel Market. Matmuller said that while the company always looks forward to ATM as a place to raise brand awareness and generate sales leads, it is particularly excited to attend this year because of their ambitious regional expansion plans.