Marriott brings new brand to Middle East

Marriott International will introduce its first Residence Inn by Marriott property for extended stay travellers in the Middle East in 2012.

The 83-unit hotel, which is in the Saudi Arabian province of Jizan on the Red Sea, will be part of a mixed-use development that will also include a new 129-room upper moderate priced Courtyard by Marriott hotel which will be the fourth Courtyard property in the Middle East.

Ed Fuller, president & managing director of international lodging for Marriott International, said: “We’re thrilled by the continued expansion of our lodging portfolio in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to participate in the economic development of Jizan.”

He added: “Tourism in the Kingdom has strong growth potential with an average increase of 6.5 per cent year-over-year projected through 2014. We’re confident that both these hotels will be successful from Day One because of the power of their brand names, the value and comfort they both offer.”

Marriott will manage both hotels under a long-term agreement recently concluded with Abdulrahman Saad Al-Rashid & Sons Co. Ltd.

Mr. Sulaiman Al Rashid, deputy general manager of Abdulrahman Saad Al-Rashid & Sons Co. Ltd, said that the opening of the Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn properties would set a new level of hospitality service in the southern province.