Premier Inn to Add Up to 3,500 Rooms in GCC with AED2 Billion Expansion Plan

Premier Inn Accelerates GCC Growth Strategy

Premier Inn Middle East has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Equitativa Real Estate to support the development of up to eight new hotels across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The proposed expansion represents an estimated AED2 billion (approximately US$540 million) investment and could introduce nearly 3,500 additional hotel rooms across the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

This move forms part of Premier Inn’s long-term strategy to expand its mid-market hotel footprint in high-growth urban and airport markets.

Target Markets: UAE and Saudi Arabia

The planned hotels are expected to be developed in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh and Jeddah. Locations will primarily focus on city-centre districts and airport corridors, where demand for reliable, internationally branded midscale accommodation continues to grow.

Importantly, the agreement will mark Premier Inn’s entry into Saudi Arabia, one of the fastest-expanding tourism markets in the region. The Kingdom’s ongoing hospitality development pipeline and increasing visitor numbers present strong opportunities for branded mid-market operators.

Doubling the Regional Portfolio

Premier Inn Middle East currently operates 11 hotels across the UAE and Qatar, offering a total of 3,184 rooms. Its portfolio includes seven properties in Dubai, two in Abu Dhabi and two in Doha.

If the new projects are fully delivered, the company’s regional inventory would more than double, reinforcing its position as a leading mid-market hospitality brand in the GCC.

Mid-Market Segment in High Demand

Demand for quality midscale hotels across Dubai and other GCC cities has been consistently strong. Dubai alone welcomed over 19 million overnight visitors in 2025, while hotel occupancy rates remained robust across upper midscale and mid-market categories.

With travellers seeking value-driven stays in prime locations, Premier Inn aims to capture this demand by offering standardized service, competitive pricing and accessible locations near business hubs and airports.

Strong Ownership Structure

Premier Inn Middle East operates as a joint venture between The Emirates Group and Whitbread PLC.

Whitbread PLC is the owner of the Premier Inn brand and operates more than 800 hotels across the United Kingdom, making it the country’s largest hotel chain by number of properties.

The new collaboration with Equitativa Real Estate combines hospitality operating expertise with regional asset management capabilities, positioning the brand for scalable growth across the GCC.

Outlook for GCC Hospitality Investment

The agreement reflects continued investor confidence in the UAE and Saudi Arabia’s tourism sectors. As both markets advance large-scale economic diversification and tourism development programs, demand for well-positioned, internationally recognized mid-market hotels is expected to remain strong.

With this planned expansion, Premier Inn is set to play a larger role in shaping the GCC’s evolving hospitality landscape.