The Middle East’s hospitality sector is currently witnessing a remarkable upsurge, with significant growth and extensive development under way in travel, tourism and hotel construction. This expansion has been propelled by several factors, including ambitious infrastructure projects, strategic investments and a sharpened focus among key players on developing the sector.
Saudi Arabia’s bid to become a premier tourist destination is yielding remarkable results, buoyed by a hotel construction boom largely attributed to mega projects that include the Red Sea Development and Neom. The Kingdom has now surpassed the UAE as the primary hub for hotels under construction, registering almost double the number of hotel rooms in development compared to the Emirates.
Nonetheless, the UAE remains a formidable contender in the sector, marked by hospitality and tourism segments that continue to flourish. The country’s investments in iconic projects, world-class attractions and status as an established host of large-scale events have secured it a spot among the top destinations for global travelers.
Manama is another destination that has raised its profile by hosting several highprofile events, helping to deliver results within the tourism industry for Bahrain, while Cairo’s hospitality sector has also witnessed substantial improvements.
Despite its many ordeals, Lebanon remains a fixture on the regional tourism map, supported by Ministry of Tourism campaigns actively promoting the country, with around 2 million visitors expected to have traveled there by the end of the summer. Jordan, meanwhile, is registering phenomenal levels of visitor numbers, thanks in part to a series of governmental initiatives aimed at promoting the country and raising foreign investment, as well as successful efforts to improve ease of access and customer experience.
HVS exclusively shares with HN some key figures regarding the hospitality industry:
The success that Middle Eastern destinations are reaping from tourism and hospitality is testament to their unwavering commitment to developing their offerings. Visionary leadership, stable oil prices and far-reaching growth plans for the industries are collectively paving the way for the region to seal its reputation as an attractive destination for global travelers seeking a broad range of unrivaled, memorable experiences, while pointing to a bright long-term future.
