According to the latest STR Global Research, the company’s bold expansion program makes up 11.5 percent of the entire MEA hotel pipeline and, with 15,000 rooms under development, Hilton Worldwide is an impressive 50 percent ahead of its nearest rival
“Hilton Worldwide’s unwavering momentum in seeking out practical and productive partners and properties in MEA is setting the regional pace and return for the company,” said Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Hilton Worldwide, MEA.
“We’re experiencing increased optimism in the region and this is reflected in the number and quality of enquiries we are receiving. Today’s announcement is good news for the company and good news for the area’s hospitality industry,” he added.
MEA signed a record 20 properties in the last 12 months including noteworthy announcements such as the six hotels of the Jabal Omar Development in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. This represented Hilton Worldwide’s biggest announcement to date and added a further 6,000 rooms to the MEA total. Other highlights included plans to enter a number of new countries including Chad and Sierra Leone in Africa, Lebanon and Kurdistan in Iraq.
In 2012, Hilton Worldwide expects to bring two new brands to the UAE with the anticipated end-of-year openings of the luxury brands Conrad Dubai and Waldorf Astoria in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.
In addition, the company will launch in four new markets including Doha, Uganda, Lebanon and Sharjah as well as extend its commitment to Egypt by opening its 19th hotel in the country.
