Rotana, a prominent hotel management company in the MENAT region, has announced its ambitious expansion plans at the Saudi Tourism Forum. The company is set to develop 36 new properties across 22 cities in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Türkiye, with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia.
In Saudi Arabia, Rotana plans to significantly increase its presence by tripling its current hotel capacity to 6,000 rooms over the next three years. This expansion follows the recent opening of three properties in the Kingdom in 2024, including the Nova M, the first Edge by Rotana in the region.
Additional developments include the launch of Dar Rayhaan by Rotana and Al Manakha Rotana in Al Khobar and Madinah, respectively. By 2025, Rotana aims to open five more hotels, including Yasmina Rayhaan by Rotana in Riyadh.
The expansion aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s economic diversification and tourism objectives, responding to growing traveler demand. Saudi Arabia has seen a 25% increase in international tourist arrivals in the first nine months of 2024, ranking third globally.
Rotana’s CEO, Philip Barnes, expressed optimism about the Saudi market, emphasizing the company’s commitment to both hospitality and tourism as the demand for travel increases. The upcoming FIFA World Cup 2034 is expected to further boost these sectors.
At the forum, a panel discussion explored the impact of sports and entertainment on hospitality and tourism, with insights from Rotana COO, Eddy Tannous. Rotana currently operates 81 hotels across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Türkiye, with plans for further expansion.