Wyndham Hotel Group, the world's largest hotel company with over 7,260 hotels and part of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation, has signed an exclusive development agreement for the Days Inn brand in Saudi Arabia with Riyada International Hotels and Resorts, currently the master franchisee for Ramada hotels in the Kingdom. The signing of the exclusive development agreement for 10 hotels was held at the headquarters of the Saudi Commission of Tourism and Antiquities in Riyadh. The development of the Days Inn portfolio in Saudi Arabia will be spread over the next seven years. Rui Barros, Wyndham Hotel Group's senior vice president and managing director for Europe, Middle East and Africa, said “we are delighted to expand our relationship with Riyada International Hotels and Resorts through this deal to launch and grow the Days Inn brand, our largest brand globally with 147,224 rooms, in Saudi Arabia. This brand has exceptional growth potential in this market as it is perfectly suited to the growing number of travellers seeking comfort and quality accommodation without a mid-market or upscale price tag.” This is Barros' first visit to Saudi Arabia as Wyndham Hotel Group's newly appointed SVP and managing director of Europe, Middle East and Africa. Previously, he was brand senior vice president for the Howard Johnson, Travelodge and Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham hotel brands and has served Wyndham Hotel Group in a variety of leadership roles since 1998. “We have worked in partnership with Wyndham Hotel Group for the last seven years to successfully build the Ramada brand within the Kingdom. To now work together to launch Days Inn, another leading global brand, represents a significant milestone for us,” said Muhammad Al-Amir, Founder and Managing Director of Riyada International Hotels and Resorts. “With Wyndham providing us with up to date global hospitality know how, coupled with our local knowledge of the market, we have an unparalleled competitive edge in the country's hotel development sector.” Days Inn is a leading global brand in the economy segment with more guest rooms than any other economy brand in the world and over 1,830 hotels worldwide. Under its Best Value Under The Sun positioning, Days Inn hotels offer value conscious consumers free high speed internet as well as the opportunity to earn free stays, airline miles or gift cards through Wyndham Rewards, the Wyndham Hotel Group loyalty program. In tune with the needs of the local market, all Days Inn hotels across the Kingdom will also feature extra-large family rooms. Existing Days Inn hotels in the Middle East which have already proved popular include two hotels in Jordan and one in Bahrain. The agreement with Riyada International Hotels and Resorts marks a step change in the brand's expansion in the region and gives instant momentum to its growth in Saudi Arabia. “We are fully committed to growing our presence in the Gulf, both through the expansion of our existing, trusted brands such as Ramada and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, as well as through the introduction of new brands such as Super 8 and Days Inn, which cater to currently under-served segments in the region,” Barros added. — SG
