Stats from the TOPHOTELPROJECTS construction database show 187,965 rooms are currently in the pipeline across the Middle East, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia leading the charge.
The future of the Middle East’s hotel market is certainly looking up after a challenging 2020, with 624 projects and 187,965 keys on the cards in the year ahead. We find out more about these upcoming launches.
Middle East hotel openings by year
Our researchers report that there’ll be 250 openings across the region in 2021, bringing 76,288 new rooms into play. Another 165 projects are planned for 2022, while 66 hotels are pencilled in for 2023 and 143 schemes are on the books for 2024 and beyond.
The split between four- and five-star hotels is almost even – 313 will be in the four-star sector, while 311 will be in the five-star category.
Top growth markets in the Middle East
The Middle East’s top market in terms of hotel openings is the UAE, where 211 properties with 62,633 rooms will open their doors. 147 of these will launch in Dubai, adding another 44,699 keys to what’s already a crowded market.
Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia will get 168 new properties with 73,464 keys. Within the country, interestingly, Riyadh, Jeddah and Makkah will experience particularly rapid growth; these cities will get 42, 40 and 28 new hotels respectively, although it’s worth pointing out that Makkah comes top in terms of key count owing to the fact that it has several mega-projects on the go.
Qatar, Turkey and Oman round out our top five with 49, 42 and 33 hotel schemes.
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Noteworthy hotel projects in the Middle East
The 1,490-room Jabal Omar Address Makkah will be only steps away from the Grand Mosque when it opens in late 2021 – the two towers form part of a larger master development by Jabal Omar Development. Guests here will find malls, retail amenities, prayer areas and other support facilities at their fingertips. Arcrea Studio of France and Wilson Associates of Dubai will handle the property’s elegant design and architecture.
Ciel, a new property slated to open in Dubai Marina by late 2024, will soar 360 metres into the sky and comprise 1,209 luxury suites and serviced residences spread across 82 floors. The hotel’s glass observation deck and pool on the rooftop will really set it apart from the competition. Immo Prestige Holdings is pulling out all the stops for this property, working with The First Group and WS Atkins, and the end result will no doubt be spectacular.
Lastly, Grand Hyatt Makkah will be the first Grand Hyatt hotel in the holy city and only the second across the entire Kingdom of Saudi Arabia upon its launch in 2025. Grand Hyatt Makkah will feature 756 guest rooms and public spaces that integrate materials and artwork representing Islamic traditions, while maintaining the high-end design and services synonymous with Hyatt Hotels Corporation’s luxury brand. The project is being carried out by the Umm Al Qura Development & Construction Company.
Many TOPHOTELNEWS articles draw on exclusive information from the TOPHOTELPROJECTS construction database. This subscription-based product includes details of thousands of hotel projects around the world, along with the key decision-makers behind them. Please note, our data may differ from records held by other organisations. Generally, the database focuses on four- and five-star schemes of significant scale; tracks projects in either the vision, pre-planning, planning, under-construction, pre-opening or newly opened phase; and covers newbuilds, extensions, refurbishments and conversions.
