If everything goes as planned, by the end of the year Marriott International will open 11 hotels in the Middle East and Africa. The new properties will include Al Forsan Marriott Hotel in Abu Dhabi; La Ville Hotel & Suites City Walk, Dubai; Lapita Hotel Dubai; and Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh Olaya in Saudi Arabia.
The company has signed deals for 14 new hotels in the region so far this year, adding to its current operating portfolio of 147 hotels in 20 countries across the Middle East and Africa.
By 2020, Marriott International said it plans to open a further 74 properties and approximately 16,169 rooms within the MEA region, bringing its total regional footprint to 221 properties and 40,816 rooms.
In a statement, Alex Kyriakidis, president and managing director, Middle East and Africa for Marriott International, said that the company was looking to increase its representation in "all major gateway cities, commercial centers and established resort destinations while catering to a wide variety of market segments."
Middle East
Within the Middle East, Marriott International currently operates a total of 40 properties spanning eight brands, with plans to add a further five properties to in the UAE as well as one property each in Egypt, Qatar and Kuwait.
The latest collection of signings will expand Marriott's Middle East footprint by eight properties across the UAE, Egypt, Qatar and Kuwait. The Marriott Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott, Marriott Executive Apartments, Residence Inn by Marriott and Protea Hotels by Marriott brands will all be included.
Africa
The company has also announced further growth to its African pipeline with the signing of six new properties under the JW Marriott Hotels, Autograph Collection and Protea Hotels by Marriott brands.