UAE to open 83 hotels in 2018 worth $71bn

The latest MENA Hotel Construction Report by TopHotelProjects says 83 hotels will open during 2018, with 200 more in the pipeline, including 164 in Dubai, 25 in Abu Dhabi and 12 in Ras Al Khaimah.

The report commissioned by The Hotel Show Dubai 2017, has identified the UAE as being the busiest country for hotel construction in the Middle East and Africa. Arabian Business reports that the total value of active hospitality projects in the UAE reached AED262.7 billion ($71.6 billion) at the beginning of September.

"The spotlight is firmly on the hospitality industry in this region, particularly the UAE," said Ray Tinston, portfolio director of the dmg events Middle East, Asia and Africa hospitality portfolio.

Event organisers said next year's The Hotel Show Dubai and The Leisure Show Dubai will take place from September 16-18, 2018.