- Marriott International expects 50 percent growth across the Middle East & Africa region, reaching over 240 hotels by 2020
Hotel company announces newest signing of 300-room Marriott Hotel in Ras Al Khaimah
Marriott Hotels brand to lead company brand openings in Middle East & Africa this year
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is setting the stage for significant and ambitious growth within the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region according to its president and chief executive officer, Arne Sorenson. Visiting Dubai for both the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) and the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), Mr. Sorenson outlined regional growth plans that anticipate growth of the company’s MEA portfolio to over 240 properties by 2020, with plans to add roughly 80 properties and almost 16,500 rooms. At present, the hotel company operates or franchises 164 properties in the MEA region, across 9 brands in 17 countries.
During his time at ATM, Mr. Sorenson, along with His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of ASQ Hotels, also announced the signing of the company’s newest property, in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, the Ras Al Khaimah Marriott Resort. Due to open by 2019, the 300-room beach-front Marriott Hotel will be the first Marriott Hotels branded property in the emirate, reinforcing the company’s plan to increase its UAE footprint to 25 properties by 2020.
“The Middle East and Africa region offers a tremendous opportunity for Marriott International,” said Sorenson. “We have ambitious plans for growth internationally and the region will play a large part in helping us achieve both our short-term and long-term targets. By the end of this year we should surpass 1 million rooms open or in development worldwide, with new hotels expected to create 150,000 new hotel jobs as they open.”
