Marriott plans to add nearly 20 new hotels and more than 3,000 guestrooms across the Middle East and Africa this year, as part of a broader expansion that aims for over 100 new hotels and roughly 25,000 guestrooms in the region by the end of 2023.
“Our expansion in the Middle East and Africa is driven by strong demand for our diverse portfolio of established brands, each tailored to meet the changing needs of this market,” said Jerome Briet, chief development officer for Middle East and Africa at Marriott International. “This region continues to offer opportunities to both broaden and strengthen our presence in new and existing markets. While most of our growth will come from new-build projects, we are also seeing more conversion opportunities, particularly in the luxury segment.”
Marriott’s luxury footprint in the region is expected to grow by more than 70 percent over the next four years. More than 25 luxury properties are currently in development, including W Muscat, The St. Regis Amman, The St. Regis Cairo, and the JW Marriott Muscat Convention Center.
Premium brands are set to expand with over 30 additional hotels, including four brand debuts scheduled for this year. At the same time, Sheraton properties across the region are undergoing renovations to align with the brand’s latest standards and design updates.
Select-service offerings are also on the rise, with an anticipated growth of more than 40 percent. Element Hotels will make its first appearance in Africa, and Residence Inn will debut in Algeria. Four Points by Sheraton alone will open four hotels in the region this year.
This multi-brand growth strategy reflects Marriott’s intent to serve a wide range of travelers—from luxury and premium guests to business and extended-stay customers—while adapting to local market dynamics and tapping both new construction and conversions to accelerate its regional footprint.