Britain’s biggest hotel brand Premier Inn said its Mena unit is set to open its new property in Saudi Arabia this year as part of its long-term Middle East expansion strategy.
It currently has 11 hotels across the UAE and Qatar and is planning to further extend its footprints in existing markets across the region.
Owned by UK hospitality company Whitbread, the top brand said plans are afoot to launch a new, higher-grade room category in the Middle East, as well as enhancements at its existing properties this year, thus reinforcing its commitment to the region and maintaining its position as Mena’s hotel brand of choice for quality, value and accommodation.
It is in discussions with several investors and potential business partners in the region, said the statement from Premier Inn.
Managing Director Simon Leigh said: “Premier Inn’s focus for 2023 is to further evolve our brand and footprint in the region – on our existing ‘home grounds’ of the UAE and Qatar, elsewhere in the GCC and in other markets in the wider Middle East.”
“With its huge investment in tourism under Vision 2030, a bid to host EXPO 2030 and world-class developments in full swing across the country, Saudi Arabia offers excellent opportunities for Premier Inn,” he stated.
The leading British hotel brand said it has seven hotels in Dubai, two in Abu Dhabi and two in Qatar, with more in the pipeline.
“We would be immensely proud to bring our much-loved brand to the kingdom and be part of its ever-growing tourism and hospitality sector. “Fruitful discussions are continuing, and we are confident that Premier Inn will make its KSA debut this year,” stated Leigh.
He pointed out that 2022 was a record year for Premier Inn Mena in terms of trading and growth, fueled by large-scale events such as Expo 2020 and the World Cup, the continued post-pandemic bounce-back, and the opening of its 11th property – Premier Inn Barsha Heights.
“With the peak travel season in full swing and a surge of visitors from China since borders reopened, it’s been an equally superb start to 2023 – a year in which we plan to continue to trade brilliantly, invest in our business, harness new technology and attract – and retain – great talent,” he added.
