Hilton Eyeing MENA Growth

Hilton Worldwide Middle East & Africa has announced that it has 41 properties in its active pipeline in the region. The group signed 20 properties in the last 12 months including six hotels of the Jabal Omar Development in Makkah, Saudi Arabia and plans to enter new countries such as Chad, Sierra Leone, Lebanon and Kurdistan.

According to the latest STR Global Research, the company’s expansion plan-which includes 15,000 rooms under development- makes up 11.5 per cent of the entire MEA hotel pipeline.

“We’re experiencing increased optimism in the region and this is reflected in the number and quality of enquiries we are receiving,” said Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Hilton Worldwide, Middle East & Africa in the statement.

In 2012, Hilton Worldwide is planning to bring two new brands to the UAE -Conrad Dubai and Waldorf Astoria in Ras Al Khaimah. The company is also planning to launch in four new markets including Doha, Uganda, Lebanon and Sharjah and will also open its 19th hotel in Egypt.