JEDDAH – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced plans to open 50 new hotels in the Middle East and Africa over the next five years, bringing its total in the region to more than 130. Starwood currently has an existing portfolio of 82 hotels in the region, representing nearly 22,000 guest rooms, the majority of which are operated under its Sheraton and Le Méridien brands. The company said Tuesday that it will increase its MEA portfolio by more than 60 percent over the next five years, adding more than 14,000 guest rooms to the region while creating thousands of local employment opportunities. Further underscoring the importance of the region as one of Starwood's fastest growing hotel and travel markets, earlier this month the company relocated its global headquarters from Stamford, Connecticut to Dubai for a month-long immersion. "Starwood continues to see demand for growth of all of our brands across the Middle East and Africa despite economic and political uncertainty in some parts of this incredibly diverse region," said Frits van Paasschen, President and CEO, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. "Rapid economic growth, rising personal incomes, a growing middle class and ever greater global connectivity are driving new travel patterns and demand for travel, and this region is at the center of these trends and a key focus of our growth strategy." With more than 70 percent of the world's growth coming from fast-growing markets over the next few years, Starwood is focused on expansion in developing MEA markets such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Egypt, Senegal, South Africa and Nigeria. – SG
