The Hotel Landscape

Accor

In 2021, Accor opened 288 hotels representing 41,000 rooms, resulting in a net growth in the network of 3% over the 12-month period. At the end of December 2021, the group had a global hotel portfolio of 777,714 rooms (5,298 hotels) and a pipeline of 214,000 rooms (1,218 hotels). For 2022, the group expects a net unit growth of 3.5%. In 2021, Accor consolidated revenue of €2,204 million (US$2,381 million), up 34% like-for-like (LFL) versus full-year 2020. Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Accor, says the group’s pipeline “continues to flourish” with the luxury and upscale segment representing close to 40% of future openings, a 12-point increase in the past four years.

“As the desire to escape and to resume travelling has never been stronger, we are well underway to make the most of this rebound in all our markets,” he says.

“In 2022, we will continue to unfold our vision of ever-more experience-driven and sustainable tourism, facilitated by digital technologies. Armed with these strengths, we are confident in our capacity to enduringly continue creating value for our partners as well as our shareholders.”

In India, the Middle East, Africa and Turkey (IMEAT), the recovery in business between the third and fourth quarters was robust (+28 percentage points with RevPAR exceeding FY 2019 levels in the last quarter).

While business in Saudi Arabia remained held back by tight restrictions weighing on pilgrimages, the UAE benefitted from demand linked to Expo 2020 Dubai, which started on October 1, 2021. RevPAR was down (28)% in FY 2021 compared with FY 2019 in this region.

CURRENT PORTFOLIO:

313 hotels, 75,000 keys, in MENA

PIPELINE:

111 hotels, 26,000 keys, in MENA

PIPELINE AMBITIONS:

400 hotels, 100,000 keys, by 2026 in MENA

2022 Highlights

Accor’s regional expansion continues with a swathe of new hotels set to open this year. Highlights will include Rixos Jewel of the Creek in Dubai, Fairmont La Marina Rabat-Salé in Morocco and in Saudi Arabia, Rixos Obhur Jeddah and Banyan Tree AlUla. Opening soon, the Banyan Tree property, located in the Ashar Valley, will comprise luxury tents inspired by Nabatean architecture. Each ‘villa’ will have its own pool and boast desert and mountain views, with one-, two- and three-bedroom options available. Guests will be able to dine at one of two venues – Saffron, a signature Banyan Tree Thai restaurant, and an Arabian venue serving authentic local cuisine – while facilities will include a Banyan Tree spa and a fitness centre.

2022 FOCUS:

M Venpick

Accor’s regional stronghold gains momentum in 2022, particularly with the upcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar providing business development opportunities. The group has been appointed the official provider of accommodation for visitors to the event and will manage and operate more than 60,000 rooms in apartments and villas across the Gulf Arab state.

Accor will also broaden its luxury portfolio in Qatar with upcoming properties of note including Rixos Doha Qetaifan and the Raffles and Fairmont hotels in the iconic Lusail Towers development. The towers will rise gracefully from podium level, one occupied by the six-star Raffles Hotel & Branded Residences featuring 132 suites and 49 apartments and the other home to the five-star Fairmont with 361 rooms and suites. State-of-the-art entertainment and recreational facilities, including specialist boutiques, VIP movie theatres, signature restaurants and a private Cigar Lounge, as well as exquisite banqueting and conference spaces and dedicated office areas are all part of this project, developed by Katara Hospitality.

Aleph Hospitality

Aleph Hospitality has almost doubled its revenues over the past 12 months, driven by the group’s portfolio expansion. To support this growth, Aleph Hospitality announced numerous senior appointments to its corporate team, including Jad Shamseddin in the new role of Chief Operating Officer, Daniel Ebo as Vice President Sales, and most recently, Clemence Lormand as the group’s new Development Manager. In the first quarter of 2022, Aleph Hospitality entered new countries in Africa with the takeover of hotels in Uganda and Rwanda. In Uganda, Aleph Hospitality signed a management contract in February to operate two boutique hotels; Masheda Palms in Buyala and A’lure Hotel & Suites in Kampala. Last month, the group signed a management agreement with Century Park Hotel and Residences Limited to operate luxury five-star

MGallery hotel under a franchise agreement, as well as all facilities at the new Century Park Hotel and Residences development in Rwanda’s capital Kigali.

CURRENT PORTFOLIO:

12 hotels, 947 keys, in MEA

PIPELINE:

12 hotels, 2,000 keys, in MEA

PIPELINE AMBITIONS:

50 hotels by 2026

2022 HIGHLIGHTS:

Aleph Hospitality is about to launch its sustainable development programme, Aleph Cares. ‘Cares’ stands for Community, Aleph, Responsible, Environment and Sustainability. The strategy is structured around five core pillars: Management Approach; Energy & Water Consumption; Waste Management; Product Selection; and CSR & Solidarity. The group and its portfolio of hotels have already made great strides in implementing these five pillars, which the Aleph Cares programme will build on. For example, engaging with local humanitarian projects is an important element of the Aleph culture. As part of the group’s management agreement for three Boma hotels in Kenya, Aleph donates 5% of its fees to the Kenya Red Cross.

2022 FOCUS:

The global pandemic was the impetus for Aleph’s new brand initiative, the Innovation Lab, designed to identify and nurture young start-ups and resolve some of the challenges the global hospitality industry is facing. Successful applicants on the rolling programme will be able to trial their products in Aleph’s hotels and access potential investment opportunities, either through Aleph or third-party investment, seed funding and venture capital. The Innovation Lab covers all categories, from the human resource crisis to ESG.

Barcel Hotel Group

Barceló Hotel Group is the second largest hotel chain in Spain and one of the 30 largest in the world in terms of number of rooms

It was recognised as the 'Best Management Company in the World' at the 28th edition of the World Travel Awards and currently operates more than 270 four- and five-star urban and vacation hotels, with more than 60,000 rooms distributed across 24 countries and marketed under four brands: Royal Hideaway Luxury Hotels & Resorts, Barceló Hotels & Resorts, Occidental Hotels & Resorts and Allegro Hotels.

Occidental Ankara

This four-star hotel with 83 rooms is located in the Kavaklidere district in the centre of the Turkish capital. With this new addition, Barceló Hotel Group confirms its leadership as the Spanish hotel chain with the largest presence in Turkey. The hotel will feature an elegant à la carte restaurant serving Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine, plus a gym and a wellness centre with a sauna, Hammam and massage rooms.

Marina, Occidental Sharjah

Grand, Occidental Dubai

Aleph Hospitality

Aleph Hospitality has signed a management agreement with Century Park Hotel and Residences

Limited to operate the luxury five-star MGallery hotel under a Franchise Agreement, as well as all facilities at the new Century Park Hotel and Residences development in Rwanda’s capital Kigali. Located in the Nyarutarama neighbourhood, Century Park Hotel and Residences is a mixed-use residential and leisure park. The unique lifestyle destination offers luxury villas, twoand three-bedroom apartments, four- and five-bedroom duplexes and penthouses, as well as three restaurants and bars. It also features the luxurious MGallery Hotel (pictured), the first for the brand in Rwanda, featuring well-appointed guest rooms and suites, an outdoor pool, and conference and meeting rooms.

In the UAE, the group recorded 70% occupancy in 2021, the year it celebrated its 90th anniversary and appointed José Canals as the new Managing Director for the Middle East, Mediterranean and Asia. Renowned for its unique Spanish hospitality, the company operates Dukes The Palm, a Royal Hideaway Hotel, Barceló Residences Dubai

Production City and Occidental Al Jaddaf in the UAE. Pipelined properties in the region include the 134-room Barceló Fès Medina and the 138-room Barceló Tanger in Morocco, and the Occidental Ankara in Turkey.

CURRENT PORTFOLIO:

20 hotels, 5,145 keys, in MENA

PIPELINE: 3 hotels in MENA

PIPELINE AMBITIONS:

To open 20 new hotels in the next few years

2022 HIGHLIGHTS:

The group’s global plan for 2022 is to open 20 new hotels and continue expanding in countries such as Indonesia, Maldives, Thailand, Poland and Slovenia, while upcoming properties in MENA include Barceló Fès Medina, Barceló Tanger, and Occidental Ankara.

2022 FOCUS:

The roll-out of the group’s three new MENA region hotels and globally, the opening of Estación Canfranc, a Royal Hideaway Hotel, at Canfranc’s train station (Huesca in north-eastern Spain). This establishment will preserve the cultural heritage of the building and will employ local talent by creating 150 direct jobs. It will have 104 rooms and suites, a wellness area with a heated swimming pool, a library and a restaurant located in the two restored 20th century train carriages. The historic station lobby will house the hotel reception.

Deutsche Hospitality

Deutsche Hospitality, the German hospitality group, comprises eight brands and more than 160 hotels worldwide. Its luxury lifestyle brands include Steigenberger Icons and Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels, while its upscale and lifestyle offering spans

Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts, Jaz in the City and House of Beats. The company fulfils demand for midscale properties with two brands – IntercityHotel and MAXX by Deutsche Hospitality – and its economy segment is represented by Zleep Hotels. In October 2021, Deutsche Hospitality and the Porsche Design Group launched a new concept – Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels – “the only brand that combines the distinctive Porsche Design lifestyle with the hospitality and service quality of a Steigenberger hotel”. Each property will offer at least 150 rooms, suites, and penthouses; a restaurant and lounge concept; exclusive meet-andgreet areas; and “world-class health and beauty facilities”, including a gym and wellness area. Guests will also benefit from “an individualised journey at every touchpoint, driven by the hotel’s focus on hyper personalisation, innovation, and functional approach”.

CURRENT PORTFOLIO:

23 hotels, 6,639 keys. in MENA

PIPELINE:

5 hotels, 1,045 keys, in MENA

2022 HIGHLIGHTS:

At the start of 2022, the Tourism Development Fund (TDF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Deutsche Hospitality to develop and operate Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels projects in Saudi Arabia. The agreement includes the right to exclusively launch the first Steigenberger

The Al Hamra Residences And The Al Hamra Village Hotel

The Al Hamra Residences (pictured) and the Al Hamra Village Hotel are part of the award-winning Al Hamra integrated tourism destination in Ras Al Khaimah, which offers guests access to the Al Hamra Golf Club, the Al Hamra Marina and Yacht Club and the Al Hamra Mall. The complex provides a wide range of accommodation options including penthouses, villas and studio apartments and features leisure facilities such as a tennis court, swimming pools and several bars and restaurants.

Porsche Design Hotels project in the Middle East.

2022 FOCUS:

Deutsche Hospitality is expanding in the UAE by joining forces with Ras Al Khaimah’s lifestyle developer and investment, Al Hamra, to take on the management of the Al Hamra Residences and Al Hamra Village Hotel. The resorts will use the Steigenberger Residences and MAXX by

Deutsche Hospitality brand names in future. This expansion will mark Deutsche Hospitality’s Ras Al Khaimah debut.

Hilton

Hilton opened more than one hotel per day in 2021, expanding its global portfolio to more than 6,800 hotels in 122 countries across six continents. The company announced a string of notable openings in MENA, including DoubleTree by Hilton in Sharjah, the WB Abu Dhabi Curio Collection by Hilton, and Hampton by Hilton Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, which is the world’s largest Hampton by Hilton.

LXR Hotels & Resorts announced a stunning new resort on a private island in Abu Dhabi for 2023, plus two other debuts: one in Saudi Arabia with a boutique resort in Diriyah, projected to open by 2026, and a second in Africa and the Indian Ocean with the stunning Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels & Resorts, which started welcoming guests in 2021. In 2022, Hilton will open six new properties across three brands in the region in 2022. They include the 221room Hampton by Hilton Doha Old Town in Qatar; the Waldorf Astoria Kuwait (pictured) featuring award-winning Japanese restaurant concept ROKA; Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah with a prime beachfront location; Hilton Bahrain, a 348room property with studios and apartments; the Hilton Cairo

Nile Maadi, located in the Maadi diplomatic district with meeting and event space; and the Conrad Rabat Arzana in Morocco with more than 600 sqm of event space.

CURRENT PORTFOLIO:

84 hotels, 27,800+ keys, in MENA

PIPELINE:

112 hotels, 29,300+ keys, in MENA

2022 HIGHLIGHTS:

Opening this year, Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah, located on the iconic Palm Jumeirah, is a beachfront destination with a private beach, the eforea spa, and a wide range of restaurants, bars and lounges – including Trader Vic’s, Barfly by Buddha Bar and Claw BBQ.

2022 FOCUS: Outside of the region, Hilton will open Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia with 107 guest rooms, each featuring a private garden or terrace, with the majority offering panoramic views of the entire Chia lagoon. It will offer three restaurants, a Conrad Spa, a spa bar, a yoga studio, and a gym.

Africa, Hyatt has announced milestone development plans for Grand Hyatt The Red Sea, Park Hyatt Marrakech, Grand Hyatt Kuwait, Andaz Doha and Park Hyatt Riyadh Diriyah.

It says 2021 was a year of milestone property openings across the region, including Hyatt Centric Jumeirah in Dubai, Alila Hinu Bay in Oman, Hyatt Regency Taghazout in Morocco and Hyatt Regency Cairo West in Egypt.

THE WB ABU DHABI, CURIO COLLECTION BY HILTON

Hilton opened the world’s first Warner Bros. themed hotel in November 2021, which displays more than 400 pieces of film and TV memorabilia such as scripts, props, posters and photographs, plus the Batmobile from The Batman. There’s a unique ‘dive-in’ poolside movie screen, while Looney Tunes room service sees the likes of Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny deliver treats to young guests. The hotel also reflects Warner Bros.’ incredible contribution to TV with the fountain from the sitcom Friends standing outside the property’s lobby. Located 12km from Abu Dhabi Airport, the 257-room, six-storey property sits next door to Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi – the world’s largest indoor theme park.

2021 was a year of significant growth for Hyatt, particularly in terms of the group’s luxury brand portfolio. At ITLM 2021 in Cannes, plans for seven new luxury hotels and resorts throughout Europe and the Middle East were announced, in addition to 25 previously announced hotels under the luxury brands of Alila, Andaz, Destination by Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Park Hyatt, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, and Thompson Hotels.

These openings are slated to open from 2022 through to 2025, representing an ambitious and extensive development pipeline to bolster Hyatt’s already prominent luxury brand portfolio.

Located in strategic locations that Hyatt has identified as key growth markets, the properties will cater to the growing demand for luxury properties in places that matter the most to guests.

In the Middle East and North

With additional development announcements scheduled for later in the year, Hyatt says it looks forward to fostering its “strong footprint in the region”.

CURRENT PORTFOLIO:

40 hotels, 8,947 keys, in MENA

PIPELINE:

7 hotels, 2,000+ keys, in MENA

PIPELINE AMBITION:

32 hotels by 2025

2022 HIGHLIGHTS:

Slated to open in Q3 2022, Grand Hyatt Kuwait is part of Kuwait's most multifaceted modern development, connected to the luxury 360 Mall with 130,000 sqm of retail and social spaces, international-sized indoor and outdoor tennis courts (home to only the second Rafa Nadal Academy in the world) and a mixed-use Grand Arena with a

The Andaz brand will debut in Qatar when the 318-room Andaz Doha, located in the West Bay area of Doha, opens in November, coinciding with the FIFA 2022 World Cup. Providing “elevated sensory experiences and unscripted service”, Andaz Doha invites luxury travellers to immerse themselves in Qatar’s culture.

5,600-capacity seating space, set to host internationally renowned events and concerts. Grand Hyatt Kuwait will offer three standalone restaurants serving cuisine spanning from the Far East to Europe; a Grand Club Lounge; and the distinctive Saheel Lobby Lounge.

BRAND FOCUS:

In 2021, Hyatt announced plans for Grand Hyatt The Red Sea, slated to open under phase one of the Red Sea Development project.

This property will be part of an ambitious hospitality project that will set a new global standard for sustainable tourism within the luxury sphere.

Grand Hyatt The Red Sea will feature a striking architectural “coral bloom” design, a unique concept resembling a bloom of coral in the sea from above, which will offer a sense of luxury that blends seamlessly with the natural environment.

It will be the largest of 11 hotels set to open on the island.

IHG HOTELS & RESORTS

IHG Hotels & Resorts reported a significant improvement in trading in 2021, with RevPAR recovering to 70% of 2019 levels (83% in Q4). While leisure travel continues to lead recovery, the future is bright for all segments, with business and group travel making a comeback, according to Derek DeCross, SVP of Global Sales for IHG Hotels & Resorts. “Where we see those peaks in travel, IHG expects continuing consumer demand, such as those in India, the Middle East and Africa (IMEA), driven by milder travel restrictions across feeder markets, increasing flight availability, and the return of global events like Expo 2020,” he says. “The largest share of business travel in this region is corporate bookings, as well as meetings and events.”

Haitham Mattar, Managing Director MEA & Southwest Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, adds: “Currently, with many markets open across IMEA, we have seen occupancies and ADRs return to 2019 levels and we have remained above par against our competition per market. In 2022, in addition to driving performance, we have a strong focus on growing our footprint in the region by expanding the presence of our existing brands and bringing new brands from our global portfolio to key markets across MENA.

“Also, with ongoing events and the launch of major attractions across the region such as the film festivals in Egypt, the cultural and entertainment festivals in Saudi Arabia, conferences, or even the World Cup 2022 in Qatar, we believe the growth will continue at pace and the surge in business travel will also pick up sooner than expected.”

CURRENT PORTFOLIO:

100+ hotels, close to 36,000 keys, in MENA

PIPELINE:

63 hotels, 16,000+ keys, in MENA

PIPELINE AMBITIONS:

To double its IMEA pipeline by 2025

2022 HIGHLIGHTS:

In 2022, new hotel openings have included voco Bonnington Dubai, Voco Doha West Bay Suites, Crowne Plaza West Cairo – Arkan and InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah. Properties opening soon include Holiday Inn & Suites Dubai Science Park Dubai, Holiday Inn & Suites Cairo, Holiday Inn Jeddah Corniche, InterContinental Residences Abu Dhabi, and Holiday Inn Al Khobar City.

2022 FOCUS:

On April 13, IHG Hotels & Resorts ushered in the next chapter for its new global loyalty programme with IHG One Rewards: a brand that celebrates individuality – giving members more flexibility and control with the ability to choose to be rewarded in their own way by offering more choice, value and relevant benefits than ever before.

IHG One Rewards debuts with a fresh look and feel, along with enhanced benefits that will take effect in early June 2022 across IHG Hotels & Resorts’ 17 brands and nearly 6,000 hotels around the world. This new brand and programme represents the largest and most comprehensive investment that IHG Hotels & Resorts has made in the loyalty space since introducing the industry’s first rewards programme more than 30 years ago, launched in 1983 by Holiday Inn. The programme benefits are the result of extensive research into “what guests truly want from a loyalty programme”, such as room upgrades and free breakfast, followed by member discounts, flex and bonus points, food and breakfast credit, and lounge access.

Kempinski

Despite a tough worldwide situation and the ups and downs caused by COVID-19 uncertainty, Kempinski Hotels last year scored its highest employee satisfaction and engagement rate in history.

This led to the company being ranked number one on the Forbes World’s Best Employers List 2021 in the travel and leisure industry, as well as a winner of the 2022 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award.

While others slowed down during times of uncertainty, the luxury hotel group “stayed true to its organisational values and showed determination and commitment to making their people a priority”.

Voco Bonnington Dubai

Voco Bonnington Dubai in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), the second voco in the city and formerly Bonnington Hotel Dubai, features 208 rooms and promises a “modern, stylish and unstuffy experience”. As part of the transformational works carried out at the property, the refurbished guest rooms benefit from the voco design concept with thoughtful comforts like cosy bedding made from 100% recycled materials, Antipodes high-quality organic bathroom amenities in larger dispenser bottles, and high-speed Wi-Fi, Smart TVs, executive desks and in-room refreshments. Facilities include meeting rooms; a Leisure Deck with a swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna and steam rooms, a beauty salon and a pool bar; and dining experiences such as The Cavendish and the awardwinning Irish pub McGettigan’s.

As the oldest international hotel group with European heritage, this year Kempinski marks its 125 anniversary and as the company grows around the world, the focus will always be on quality over quantity, it says.

“In each new opportunity the goal is to assure that it is a good fit for the portfolio: one in which Kempinski can uphold the values that have come to define the brand after 125 years of excellence”, says the group. Over the past six months alone the hotel group signed 10 new management agreements for hotels and residences in destinations such as Brazil, Tanzania, Lombok, Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Istanbul, which it says demonstrates the appetite among owners to tap into the company’s long history of management expertise.

With humble beginnings as a family-run wine merchant and restaurant business in 1897, Kempinski today manages a collection of 80 elegant hotels, resorts and residences in 34 countries around the world, with another 26 projects under development.

CURRENT PORTFOLIO:

18 hotels, 4,580 keys in MEA

PIPELINE:

12 hotels, 2,755 keys, in MEA

PIPELINE AMBITIONS:

20 additional hotels, 4,500 keys, in MEA by 2030

2022 HIGHLIGHTS:

In April 2022, Kempinski Hotels opened the highly anticipated luxury hotel, The David Kempinski Tel Aviv. It marked the brand’s 80th global opening and its first property in Israel. It followed the opening of Kempinski Palace Engelberg, the first international five-star hotel in central Switzerland's largest winter and summer holiday destination. With 129 rooms and suites, the property offers unique views of the Swiss Alps, as does the rooftop spa with infinity pool.

2022 FOCUS:

Kempinski, a founding member of GHA DISCOVERY, is leveraging the benefits of the loyalty programme, which was reimagined in December 2021. Three new features meet the needs of modern travellers including the 11 million GHA members.

They include more benefits, expanded status levels and the ability to redeem rewards on a wide range of services and benefits at hotels and resorts, not only when travelling, but at local properties, even without an overnight stay. The introduction of

The David Kempinski Tel Aviv

The David Kempinski Tel Aviv Housed in a 34-storey skyscraper designed by Feigin Architects and erected along the city's iconic sea promenade, the 250-room-andsuite property offers magnificent views of the Mediterranean, a triplex-penthouse-suite, five kosher dining venues and the OKOA Spa. The top-floor private pool and full-serviced lounge restaurant and bar are reserved exclusively for the hotel's Signature Suite guests during the day and in the evenings, the rooftop transforms into Cloud51, a dining bar venue, primed to become one of the city's nightlife hotspots.

the industry's first digital rewards currency, the DISCOVERY Dollar (D$), enables members to earn from day one during their stay and redeem for future room bookings and upgrades, as well as for spa treatments or F&B. An additional plus, says Kempinski, is the extended membership levels, which are easier to achieve thanks to more flexible criteria.

Marriott

Marriott reported “meaningful recovery across the Middle East in 2021”, ending the year on a strong note, with occupancy topping 65% in Q4, the highest for the company across the globe. At the same time, Q4 RevPAR in the Middle East and Africa rose 8% above 2019 levels. “Ultimately, leisure demand was remarkably strong, benefitting from a significant increase in international visitors. In fact, average rates across our leisure and luxury portfolio in some markets, including the UAE, were higher than 2019,” says Sandeep Walia, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East, Marriott International. “The region’s forward-looking approach, ongoing government initiatives and innovative support schemes for the private and hospitality sectors have helped drive resilience across the market. This, coupled with our outstanding associates who have worked tirelessly to serve our guests and support our owners, has driven our recovery.” Marriott opened more than 20 properties (4,000+ rooms) in the Middle East in 2021. Highlights included four properties under St. Regis – The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm and The St. Regis Downtown Dubai, and the debut of the brand in Egypt with The St. Regis Cairo and The St. Regis Al Masa; the debut of Residence Inn in the UAE; the opening of The Dubai EDITION; and the openings of two Alofts and Elements in Dubai. The regional debut of the Marriott

Executive Apartments brand in Doha; and 10 openings in the UAE alone. Marriott also announced more than 20 new deals in the Middle East in 2021. Highlights included: a deal with the Red Sea Development Company to bring St. Regis and EDITION to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Project; a deal signed with SELA for a St. Regis in Riyadh and EDITION in Jeddah, and for a Ritz-Carlton and Luxury Collection with Diriyah Gate; the signing of W Dubai – Mina Seyahi with WASL; and a multi-project agreement with Al Saedan Group in Saudi Arabia, which includes the country’s first Renaissance Hotel, the world’s largest Aloft Hotel with 1,000 rooms, and a Courtyard by Marriott in the Holy City of Makkah.

CURRENT PORTFOLIO:

190+ properties, 50,000+ rooms in the Middle East, Egypt and Turkey

PIPELINE:

100+ properties, 25,000+ rooms in the Middle East, Egypt and Turkey

PIPELINE AMBITIONS: 20+ openings planned in 2022

2022 HIGHLIGHTS:

The Ritz-Carlton will make its brand debut in Jordan this May with the opening of The RitzCarlton, Amman. Two stunning towers unveil a “refined, modern luxury experience” in the heart of Jordan’s buzzing capital city. The property will offer 228 guestrooms including 34 suites, complemented by the brand’s legendary service.

MARRIOTT RESORT

PALM JUMEIRAH

Opening soon, the Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, will feature 608 guestrooms and a private sandy beach offering stunning views of the Arabian Gulf. Facilities include a beachside pool, fitness centre, the Saray Spa and a Kidz Club. The eight restaurants will serve a variety of cuisines including Korean, Italian, Japanese, and Mexican.

Guests can relax in the elegant Cigar Lounge or indulge at the hotel’s Mediterranean restaurant. For a dinner with a view, the rooftop restaurant and bar offer dazzling views across the skyline There are indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a fitness centre and spa, and a 1,000 sqm ballroom.

2022 Focus

In 2018 Marriott International announced plans to refresh the Sheraton Hotels & Resorts brand.

The new design approach draws on its roots as a community hub created through an intuitive and holistic experience with places to connect and be productive.

The transformation balances timelessness with a fresh and modern feel, creating an environment where guests feel comfortable and at ease, whether working, meeting or relaxing.

At the heart of the new Sheraton experience is the lobby. This has been re-imagined as the Public Square of the hotel; a holistic, open space that invites people to join together. Built into the new design are signature elements such as the Community Table, an inviting, purpose-built workspace that anchors each hotel’s lobby and allow guests to work, eat and drink while soaking up the energy of the space. Other contemporary updates in the lobbies include Soundproof booths and a new elevated food and beverage philosophy, &More by Sheraton.

The guestrooms have been reimagined into bright, well-lit spaces with a residential appeal and new tools for productivity, while still retaining some of the classic Sheraton signature amenities, including the luxurious Sheraton Sleep Experience platform bed.

The Sheraton Club Lounge, an exclusive space for Marriott Bonvoy Elite members and Sheraton Club level guests, has also undergone an upgrade as part of the transformation. Newly transformed hotels in the Middle East include Sheraton Grand Dubai and Sheraton Istanbul Levant.

Minor Hotels

Minor Hotels, a hotel owner, operator and investor, with a current portfolio of 529 hotels and resorts in 55 countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, South America, Africa and the Indian Ocean, continues to grow its footprint in MENA. Having already launched two new properties in the region to date this year – Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort in the UAE and an Avani Muscat Hotel in Oman – the group will add four further new-build properties within the Middle East during 2022, including debuting two new brands to the region – NH Collection and NH Hotels (the 300-key NH Collection Doha Oasis Hotel & Beach Club and the 306-key NH Dubai The Palm). Minor Hotels will also soon share exciting news about expanding its footprint into Saudi Arabia at ATM.

Other upcoming properties include: the 174-key Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort (Q1 2023); the 233-key Anantara Sharjah Resort (late 2024); the 110-key Avani Bilaj Al Jazayer Bahrain Resort and the 110-key Tivoli Bilaj Al Jazayer Bahrain Resort (2024); and Oaks Egypt New Capital Apartments & Suites with 400 apartments and suites (2025).

CURRENT PORTFOLIO:

21 hotels, 3,203 keys, in MENA – across 4 brands

PIPELINE:

9 hotels, 2,107 keys, in MENA – across 6 brands

2022 HIGHLIGHTS:

Launched at the start of 2022, Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort is the first luxury resort on Dubai’s World Islands archipelago. Located 4km off the coast, the island resort offers guests a new luxury destination in Dubai and a unique perspective on the city. The resort comprises 70 suites, beach and pool villas, multiple restaurants and bars, all with Dubai skyline views, in addition to Anantara’s signature Dining by Design, which can be enjoyed in a bubble on the shoreline. Unique experiences include Hamacland, a floating lounge with hammocks and VIP food and drinks, and Cinema under the Stars.

NH DUBAI THE PALM

NH Hotels will debut in the Middle East region later this year with the launch of NH Dubai The Palm. Currently in the final stages of development, the new-build property will open its doors in September. Located on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah and within easy reach of the city’s key tourist attractions, the property will offer 227 hotel guest rooms and suites, as well as 306 serviced apartments. Facilities will include multiple restaurants and bars, three spa treatment rooms, a fullyequipped gym, a kids’ club and four meeting rooms.

2022 FOCUS: Both NH Hotels and NH Collection will be launching in the Middle East region in 2022. NH Dubai The Palm will open in Q4 and NH Collection Doha Oasis Hotel & Beach Club will launch in Qatar in September.

Radisson Hotel Group

With a global strategy aimed at reinforcing its position as one of the world’s leading hotel groups, Radisson Hotel Group has signed more than 50 hotels in EMEA since the start of 2021, including luxury brand Radisson Collection properties, the Radisson brand itself, and the introduction of Radisson Individuals, the new affiliation brand that brings together hotels that meet the group’s high standards of quality and service yet have their own characteristics. Today, with around 150 hotels in operation and under development by 2030 in the Middle East, Radisson Hotel Group continues to steadily grow its presence in the region.

The UAE remains a key market and recent milestones include the opening of the group’s fourth brand – the Radisson Hotel Dubai DAMAC Hills – as well as the opening of Radisson Hotel Group’s first resort in the region, Radisson Resort Ras Al Khaimah Marjan Island, in addition to further expansion into Saudi Arabia. The group is preparing to open Radisson Resort Dubai Palm Jumeirah this quarter (Q2 2022). The upscale hotel will grow the group’s UAE portfolio to 17 in operation and under development.

In Saudi Arabia, Radisson operates 25 hotels properties and has 20 under development including Radisson Blu Resort, Riyadh Hills Itlalat and Radisson Blu Resort, Riyadh Hills Shalalah. Due to open in Q2 2023, Radisson Blu Resort, Riyadh Hills Itlalat will comprise 135 keys, including rooms and villas to cater to guests looking for larger or long stay accommodation. Radisson Blu Resort, Riyadh Hills Shalalah will feature 120 keys offering guests both serviced apartments and villas. Radisson Blu Resort, Al Khobar Aziziyah is also planned to open later this year.

CURRENT PORTFOLIO:

61 hotels, 14,048 keys, in MENA

PIPELINE:

42 hotels, 8,925 keys, in MENA

PIPELINE AMBITION:

150 hotels in operation and development in the Middle East by 2030

2022 HIGHLIGHTS:

Marina Resort Port Ghalib, a member of Radisson Individuals, opened in February, marking the debut of this brand in Egypt and bringing the group’s portfolio to eight hotels in operation and under development in the country. Opening soon (Q3), the Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre, will feature 200 rooms, a business class lounge, and a 1,075 sqm meetings and events area. It’s walking distance from Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre.

2022 FOCUS:

Mansard Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel, will be the luxury lifestyle brand's second hotel in the city and when it opens in Q2 2022. The hotel's name comes from its distinct Mansard roofline, designed as an homage to the signature Parisian Haussmann style of the mid-1800s, and evokes images of the grand buildings that line the fashionable boulevards of Paris. It is located in

Radisson Resort Dubai Palm Jumeirah

Opening this quarter, this upscale hotel will have 389 rooms and is set to house five F&B outlets overlooking the Dubai Marina skyline and the Gulf. It’s Radisson’s first beach resort in Dubai and will also feature a fitness centre, spa, swimming pools and three meeting rooms.

the Ar Rabi neighbourhood, not far from the King Abdullah Financial District. It offers 191 rooms, serviced apartments, and duplex villas.

Rotana

Rotana is forging ahead with its expansion plans and has signed seven hotels already this year, while its pipeline comprises 46 upcoming projects, including 10 that will deliver more than 3,000 keys to the market in the next three years. Significant hotel signings and new agreements will take place in Manama, Bahrain and Jubail in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, alongside further expansion in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Turkey. At the Business Traveller Middle East Awards

2021, Rotana was honoured with ‘Best Hotel Brand in the Middle East' for the fifth consecutive year while its President & CEO, Mr. Guy Hutchinson, was awarded the coveted Leader of the Year Award at Hotelier Middle East Awards. Rotana was designated an authorised ticket reseller for Expo 2020 Dubai, an event it says accelerated the rebuilding of its business in 2021 into 2022, with all hotels trading back to 2019 trading levels. “This is very much because of that impetus that Expo brought to the market,” says the company.

CURRENT PORTFOLIO:

112 hotels, 18,565 keys, in MENAT

PIPELINE:

42 hotels, 10,357 keys, in MENAT

PIPELINE AMBITIONS:

Four upcoming hotels are scheduled to open in 2022, which will take its total number of operational hotels to 74. The further pipeline encompasses new properties in Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the UAE.

2022 HIGHLIGHTS:

Located in Amman’s business and leisure district, the recently opened Centro Mada is Rotana’s third property in Jordan. The 194-key hotel meets the demands of the new generation of travellers, with a lifestyle approach prioritising “style, warmth, and convenience with a dash of creativity”. The hotel features two dining venues,

Slemani Rotana

Located in Kurdistan, the five-star Slemani Rotana will open in mid-2022, featuring 240 rooms and suites overlooking the city and the mountains. The modern property will offer five F&B venues, five meeting rooms and a ballroom, a Bodylines Fitness & Wellness Club, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, specialised massage treatments, a Jaccuzzi, sauna and steam rooms.

an outdoor temperature-controlled pool on the rooftop, a gym, three meeting rooms and a pre-function area, as well as co-working spaces.

2022 FOCUS:

Rotana continues to strive ahead with steadfast expansion plans, leveraging the buoyant hospitality trade in the region and optimising their performance through a deep understanding of the market and a localised focus. Rotana continues to grow with landmark developments, hotel signings, and new agreements across luxury beach resorts, midscale hotels for business travellers, as well as serviced apartments and residences.

The strategic agreements signed will enable the group to add more than 10,868 keys across the region once completed.

Time Hotels

UAE-headquartered hospitality company TIME Hotels celebrated its 10th anniversary in February.

TIME Hotels was founded in Dubai in 2012 under the leadership of Mohamed Awadalla, the co- founder and CEO. The company initially launched with six properties in Dubai and Sharjah, before introducing a new brand concept ‘TIME Express’ and expanding its portfolio into Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and most recently Mauritius, TIME’s first property outside of the MENA region.

With five more hotels due to open this year, TIME’s portfolio will have grown to an impressive 19 properties. “Our success as a homegrown brand can be attributed to our progressive corporate strategy which consists of four main pillars – environmental issues, staff welfare, social responsibility and ethical governance.

More than 10% of our existing staff have been with us from the beginning. Another benefit of being independent, is that with a flat management structure, we are also very flexible and have been able to react quickly to market trends and issues,” says Awadalla. Last year the company opened the 45-key TIME Al Muruj hotel apartments in Saudi Arabia and further expansion for the group includes the development of a TIME Motels brand, which will offer a contemporary guest experience that combines stylish design with simplicity and convenience. The conceptual development plans for this are now approved and the company is actively looking at locations throughout the UAE, Saudi and Egypt. This forms part of its strategic business plan to increase its portfolio to 21 properties across the Middle East by the end of 2023.

CURRENT PORTFOLIO:

15 properties, 1,733 keys in MENA

PIPELINE:

6 properties, 783 keys in MENA

PIPELINE AMBITIONS:

21 properties across the Middle East by the end of 2023

2022 HIGHLIGHTS:

Earlier this year, TIME Hotels celebrated its 10th anniversary and revisited some of its key milestones over the past decade, including securing international sustainability certification, humanitarian projects and a total of 79 local, regional and international awards.

One notable highlight last year was the opening of the 232room TIME Asma Hotel, in Dubai. The management team of this new four-star property comprises entirely of women, including the hotel manager and 80% of the hotel’s employees.

2022 FOCUS:

This year TIME Hotels will add five new properties to its portfolio: TIME Nakheel Deluxe Apartments – New Capital, Egypt; TIME Coral Nuweiba Resort – South Sinai, Egypt; TIME Moonstone Hotel ApartmentsFujairah, UAE; TIME Express Al Olaya – Riyadh, KSA; and the 150-key TIME Marina Hotel & Convention Centre on Egypt’s North Coast. International expansion will include the launch of the group’s debut property in Sudan next year (2023).

The Ascott Limited

Time

DELUXE APARTMENTS - NEW CAPITAL, EGYPT

This mixed-use development (Administrative, Commercial & Hotel Apartments) is located in the heart of the Central Business District in Egypt’s ‘New Capital’, 50km east of Cairo, with easy access to transport links for commuters. The twin-tower structure, which has a panoramic view overlooking the green River and the Iconic Tower, (the tallest tower in Africa), comprises one tower dedicated to commercial office space and administrative units, while the other accommodates a TIME Hotel Apartment with 216 keys.

In 2021, The Ascott Limited secured 15,100 units across 72 properties globally, marking the fifth consecutive year Ascott has achieved record growth in units organically, despite the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years.

At the same time, the serviced apartment brand also achieved its highest-ever property openings in 2021, launching more than 8,200 units in 40 properties across 25 cities and 10 countries.

On a regional level and within a span of one month in Q1 2022, Ascott launched 764 units in the region. This included the opening of Citadines Al Ghubrah Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman; its first venture in the Kazakhstan market with Somerset City Centre Atyrau; and entering the Kenya market with the stylish Somerset

Somerset Downtown Al Khobar

Somerset Downtown Al Khobar is located on Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Road, close to the city’s shopping malls, beaches, gardens, museums, and restaurants and easily accessible from King Fahd International Airport, King Abdul Aziz Port, and the Bahrain-Khobar causeway. The stylish 16-storey, 139-key property offers one-, two- and three-bedroom spacious apartments with inspiring living spaces, designed to accommodate work and rest, and stunning city views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Amenities include a swimming pool, a fully equipped gymnasium, a children’s play area, meeting rooms, and an in-house restaurant serving global cuisine.

Westview Nairobi. Ascott also hosted the grand opening of its first Somerset hotel apartments in Saudi Arabia, with the launch of Somerset Downtown Al Khobar, and inaugurated its much-awaited re-opening in Qatar Somerset West

Bay Doha. Ascott is on track with its expansion plans to achieve its regional target of adding 5,500 units to its MEAT portfolio, to reach 10,000 units by 2025. It will look to operate an additional 17 properties in the region.

In 2022, Ascott is slated to operate another three properties including Ascott Villas Riyadh, Ascott’s first luxurious gated community of lavish serviced villas and Citadines Abha in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Somerset Al Mansoura Doha in Qatar.

CURRENT PORTFOLIO:

16 operational properties, 2,251 keys, in Middle East, Africa, Turkey and Central Asia

PIPELINE:

17 properties, 2,115 keys, in Middle East, Africa and Turkey

PIPELINE AMBITIONS: 10,000 keys by 2025 in Middle East, Africa and Turkey

2022 HIGHLIGHTS:

Properties Ascott has already opened this year include Citadines Al Ghubrah Muscat, offering a variety of apartments including studios and one-bedrooms; Somerset West Bay Doha, a newly revamped property with one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments; and Somerset Downtown Al Khobar, the group’s seventh property in Saudi Arabia, offering spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.

2022 FOCUS:

Ascott's upcoming launches in the region include two properties in Saudi Arabia – Citadines Abha, offering a range of exclusive studios and one-, and two-bedroom apartments and

Ascott Villas Riyadh, the brand’s first luxurious villas community featuring two- and three-bedroom serviced homes – as well as Somerset Al Mansoura Doha with one- and two-bedroom apartments and lifestyle amenities.

WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is the world’s largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with more than 810,000 rooms in around 9,000 hotels across 95 countries on six continents. The company continues to expand across Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and Africa (EMEA) with a number of recent hotel launches and a strong line-up of openings expected in 2022. In 2021 Wyndham achieved nearly 70 new hotel signings across EMEA and a host of exciting openings. In the Middle East, Wyndham continued to bring more accommodation options to Dubai, with openings under the Howard Johnson, Ramada, La Quinta and Days Inn by Wyndham brands. The company also bolstered its leisure offering in Oman with the launch of Wyndham Garden Salalah Mirbat, a waterfront resort in a popular destination in the Sultanate. Turkey saw a continuation of growth as Wyndham further cemented its position as the largest international hotel company by number of properties, reaching nearly 90 hotels with new openings across the country, as well as the debut of its economy brand Days Inn in Istanbul and Ankara. In 2022, there will be two new openings in Saudi Arabia, as well as the launch of the 278-room Wyndham Grand Doha West Bay Beach in Qatar.