Building on its positive 2013 second quarter global results, which saw a 25 percent growth in net income over second quarter 2012, Marriott International, Inc. has announced Tuesday a 10.6 percent increase in RevPAR figures across the Middle East and Africa for the same period. Driven predominantly by a 2 percent growth in occupancy and 6.8 percent increase in average rates across the region, the company's positive second quarter performance clearly demonstrates the strength of its portfolio, comprising some of the world's strongest and most respected brands. It also illustrates the scale of its ambition to achieve sustained growth and increase its market share in the region. Commenting on the company's second quarter performance, Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director of Marriott International, Middle East and Africa, said "when we started regional operations in 1980, we made a commitment to provide customers with exceptional stays, professional staff and exceptional operational and service standards. Our strategies, planning, investments, employing the best people and hard work have clearly paid off as RevPAR and occupancy figures continue to grow - we consistently deliver a quality and unforgettable travel experience to millions of guests across our network." Marriott International's regional performance was boosted by a number of key openings during the second quarter, namely: the Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel and The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal, the first Ritz-Carlton in Abu Dhabi and ninth property in the Middle East for the company's luxury tier lodging brand. Indicative of its bullish expansion plans across the region, the company's development pipeline in the Middle East and Africa also continues to grow. During the second quarter of this year, Marriott International announced three new property signings, adding a further 1,094 rooms to its system - the 312-room Renaissance Dubai Downtown Hotel will open next year, while the 370-room JW Marriott Hotel Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and 412-room JW Marriott hotel Doha in Qatar will open in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Marriott International is also preparing to open three new hotels in Africa next year - the 104-unit Marriott Executive Apartments Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, 209-room Accra Marriott Hotel in Ghana and the 254-room Kigali Marriott Hotel in Rwanda. This is in addition to re-opening the 307-room JW Marriott Hotel Tripoli in Libya. These new hotels bring the total number of announced properties joining Marriott International's Middle East and Africa portfolio by 2018 to 45, 22 of which will be across nine different countries in Africa - a priority for Marriott International. As a result, an additional 12,919 rooms will join its system. Marriott International's portfolio in the Middle East and Africa currently comprises 44 properties in 12 countries, offering 13,254 rooms across seven lodging brands. It is on track to exceed 20,000 operating rooms by 2015. The company's strong performance was also supported by a growing number of tourist arrivals across the region, with UNWTO figures for the first four months of 2013 revealing a five and 2 percent increase for the Middle East and Africa respectively. "Regional travel is on the up. We continue to play a significant role in fuelling this growth - our system has never looked better and several of our major markets have posted strong growth for the second quarter," added Kyriakidis. In addition to its extended stay brands, Residence Inn by Marriott and Marriott Executive Apartments (MEA), Marriott International will be focusing the third quarter on the repositioning of its flagship brand, Marriott Hotels & Resort. Under the theme of Travel Brilliantly and in line with growing consumer trends fuelled by Gen Y, the company is 're-imagining' the guest experience. This includes transforming lobbies and public spaces by designing them for a new generation of business travellers who blend work and play, demand style and substance and desire high-tech and high-touch. The 352-room Dubai Marriott Zabeel, scheduled to open later this year, will be the first hotel in this region to open under the Travel Brilliantly umbrella. "With our focus on the Marriott Hotels and Resorts brand, as well as the extended stay sector and mobile technology, there is a lot more to come in 2013," Kyriakidis added. — SG
