Premier Inn Middle East Announces $500M GCC Expansion, 3,500 New Rooms and 600 Jobs

Premier Inn Strengthens Position in GCC Hospitality Market

Premier Inn Middle East has signed a memorandum of understanding with Equitativa Real Estate to accelerate its growth across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The planned expansion includes six to eight new hotels across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, supported by an estimated Dh2 billion ($500 million) investment. The projects are expected to deliver around 3,500 additional rooms, significantly increasing the company’s regional footprint.

600 New Hospitality Jobs to Be Created

The development programme is projected to generate approximately 600 new employment opportunities across hospitality operations, guest services, administration and hotel management roles.

In addition to direct job creation, the expansion will support local talent development initiatives, aligning with broader workforce and tourism strategies in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Expansion Across Key Urban and Airport Hubs

The new hotels are planned for high-demand markets including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh and Jeddah.

Locations will prioritise city-centre districts and airport corridors, catering to growing demand from business travellers, transit passengers and leisure visitors seeking reliable mid-market accommodation.

Dubai continues to record strong tourism growth, welcoming nearly 19.6 million international overnight visitors in 2025, reinforcing the need for expanded room supply in the midscale segment.

Portfolio to More Than Double

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

Upon completion of the new projects, the brand’s regional room inventory is expected to more than double, strengthening its competitive standing in the GCC hotel market.

Mid-Market Hotels Driving Regional Growth

Industry analysts identify midscale and upper-midscale hotels as key drivers of hospitality expansion across the Gulf. Compared to luxury developments, mid-market properties offer faster scalability while addressing demand for quality, value-driven stays.

The collaboration combines Premier Inn’s operational expertise with Equitativa’s regional asset management and investment capabilities, enabling a structured and sustainable expansion strategy.

Strong Joint Venture Backing

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

Whitbread PLC owns the Premier Inn brand and manages more than 800 hotels across the United Kingdom, making it the UK’s largest hotel operator by number of properties.