The Rezidor Hotel Group area vice president Middle East & Turkey Mark Willis has said that Saudi Arabia remains a "big focus" for the operator in 2017.
Speaking to Hotelier Middle East at Arabian Travel Market 2017, Willis said: "[There is a] big focus for us in Saudi Arabia this year where we are going to open 11 hotels including two big properties in Makkah, properties in the Eastern Province, and a great hotel coming in the Diplomatic Quarter. It’s a very exciting time for us in the Kingdom, and across the whole region."
Turkey has five openings scheduled this year, adding to its 12 existing properties. Willis commented: "Turkey is a market that will rebound from the difficulties of last year, it was a very tough year for Turkey, but I have to say, we maintained our GI well above the market.
"We have got a great portfolio in Turkey, and the additional properties that we have are ramping up very well."
In addition to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Turkey, The Rezidor Hotel Group has five scheduled openings in the UAE this year, including the Park Inn by Radisson Motor City and Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Waterfront.
Willis added: 'There’s a lot of talk about 100 hotels by 2020; I think we’ll be 100 before 2020. If you look at the growth of Rezidor in the area, it’s been huge.
"Look at the next 36 months at the portfolio, it’s a fabulous time for Rezidor."
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