Premier Inn Middle East and Equitativa Announce Dh2 Billion GCC Hotel Expansion, 600 Jobs Expected

Dh2 Billion Investment to Expand GCC Hotel Portfolio

Premier Inn Middle East has entered into a strategic development agreement with Equitativa Real Estate to launch between six and eight new hotels across key cities in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

The planned investment of approximately Dh2 billion will deliver around 3,500 additional rooms (keys), effectively doubling the brand’s existing inventory of 3,184 keys across 11 operational hotels in the UAE and Qatar.

The new properties will be developed in major urban and airport-linked locations, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh and Jeddah.

Around 600 New Hospitality Jobs Across the UAE and GCC

The expansion is projected to create approximately 600 new jobs across the UAE and the wider GCC region.

Roles will span hotel operations, front office, housekeeping, food and beverage, engineering, administration and management. The growth is expected to contribute to regional workforce development while supporting the long-term tourism and economic strategies of both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Industry analysts note that hotel development activity continues to generate strong employment multipliers across construction, services and supply chains.

Strategic Joint Venture Backed by Emirates Group and Whitbread

Premier Inn Middle East operates as a joint venture between The Emirates Group and Whitbread. The collaboration combines regional aviation and tourism expertise with international hotel management capabilities.

The partnership with Equitativa Real Estate strengthens the expansion strategy by aligning operational expertise with asset management and regional investment knowledge.

The agreement underscores continued investor confidence in the GCC’s mid-scale hospitality segment.

Expansion Supported by Strong Tourism Growth in Dubai

The hotel development pipeline aligns with sustained tourism growth in the UAE. According to data released by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai recorded 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, reflecting a 5 percent increase compared to 2024 and marking the third consecutive year of record arrivals.

Proximity markets such as the GCC and MENA collectively accounted for 26 percent of total visitors to Dubai in 2025, reinforcing steady demand for quality mid-market accommodation.

With rising international arrivals, expanded air connectivity and increased domestic staycation trends, demand for reliable, value-driven hotel brands continues to outpace supply in several regional markets.

Strengthening the Mid-Market Hotel Segment in the GCC

The new developments will focus on the growing mid-market category, targeting business travellers, transit passengers and leisure guests seeking internationally branded yet competitively positioned accommodation.

By prioritising city-centre and airport-adjacent locations, the expansion is designed to capture consistent demand from both regional and international travellers.

The Dh2 billion investment signals long-term confidence in the GCC hospitality sector and reinforces the UAE and Saudi Arabia’s position as leading tourism and investment hubs in the Middle East.