Global hospitality group Accor is ramping up its growth across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, unveiling an ambitious development pipeline that underscores its leadership position, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
In line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, Accor plans to double its presence in the Kingdom over the next five years. The group currently operates 45 properties and aims to add 44 more hotels – representing over 11,000 keys by 2030. This expansion will target both major hubs such as Riyadh and Jeddah as well as emerging secondary destinations like Al Baha, Dhahran, and the northern region, where Accor recently opened the Mövenpick Waad Al Shamal, the Kingdom’s first five-star hotel in the area.
“Luxury hospitality remains a growth engine for the region, but the fastest momentum is now within the mid and upper midscale segments,” said Duncan O’Rourke, CEO, Middle East, Africa & Asia Pacific, Premium, Midscale & Economy Brands, Accor, speaking at the recently concluded Arabian Travel Market 2025 in Dubai.
One of the flagship projects in Saudi Arabia is the introduction of the Middle East’s first TRIBE hotel, in partnership with Naif Alrajhi Investment. Located within Riyadh’s King Salman Park, the 250-key property will also introduce the TRIBE Living concept, offering a new residential community model to complement the lifestyle hotel experience.
Expanding Footprint in UAE and Qatar
In the UAE, Accor has reinforced its strategic alliance with the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) and Valor Hospitality, launching a six-hotel cluster at Deira Waterfront. This initiative brings 999 keys across brands such as Novotel, ibis Styles, Mercure, Aparthotel Adagio, and ibis Styles, further strengthening Accor’s presence in Dubai where nine additional properties are also in the pipeline.
“Dubai’s tourism market is not only strong but thriving, with record visitor numbers and surging demand across leisure, bleisure, and MICE segments,” O’Rourke noted. “We are seeing robust growth from India, China, Europe, and increasingly, the US.”
Accor is also extending its footprint in Qatar with the Swissôtel Corniche Park Towers Doha, scheduled to open in 2025. In Egypt, the company has secured landmark deals for Swissôtel Ras El Hekma and Novotel Sidi Abd El Rahman on the North Coast, both set to open in 2027, addressing the increasing demand for upscale leisure properties.
Growth Beyond Traditional Luxury
Accor’s strategy across the MEA region is focused on diversifying its portfolio, leveraging its strength across 45 brands, including Swissôtel, Pullman, Mercure, Novotel, Mövenpick, Fairmont, and Raffles. Notably, the company is capitalizing on the booming demand for branded residences and extended stays, with developments like Swissôtel Waterfront Residences on Dubai Islands – the world’s first standalone Swissôtel-branded residences slated to open in 2027.
Conversions also continue to play a critical role, particularly for brands like Mercure, Mövenpick, and Handwritten Collection, which offer efficient and flexible conversion options for independent hotel owners.
Regional Tourism Momentum Drives Demand
The MEA region’s tourism sector is witnessing unprecedented growth, with visitor arrivals and occupancy rates surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The UAE’s hospitality market is forecasted to reach USD 53.33 billion in 2025, while Saudi Arabia recorded 30 million international arrivals in 2024, supporting its ambition to welcome 100 million visitors annually by 2030.
RevPAR across key GCC countries rose 5.4% in 2024 compared to the previous year, while occupancy rates reached 69.5%, further highlighting the region’s rise as a world-class tourism and investment hub.
“Accor’s deep-rooted presence, combined with our strong local partnerships and diversified brand portfolio, uniquely positions us to capture these growth opportunities across the MEA region. We are proud to support the tourism and economic transformation agendas of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE,” concluded O’Rourke.