Marquee hotel chains sign deals at AHIC

Arabian Hotel Investment Conference concluded last week at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai with some of the most prominent hotel chains signing new deals to expand operations in the region. Fairmont Hotels and Resorts announced two new projects in Morocco and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to be opened before 2020. Wyndham Hotel Group will be expanding in Oman and Iraq with two properties in each location. Marriott International confirmed openings for 17 properties across the region this year. The premier tech-focused hospitality brand, YOTEL announced that it will be opening several more city/resort and airport sites in Dubai and Riyadh and is actively negotiating more opportunities in the Middle East including Abu Dhabi, Muscat and Jeddah.The first ever Middle East YOTEL will open in 2018 in Business Bay, Dubai. Announcing details of five new deal signings which will add 1,200 rooms in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Starwood Hotels and Resorts also confirmed five openings in 2016 across the same countries.