Second annual AHIC Hotel Investment Forecast identifies UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia as the markets to watch in 2019
The Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) 2019 has released the second annual AHIC Hotel Investment Forecast, which reveals that close to $30 billion worth of hotel construction contracts will be awarded in the Middle East and North Africa between now and 2023.
According to the research, which was conducted by MEED Projects in Q4 2018, hotel development is most active in the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, making them the markets to watch in 2019.
Ed James, director of content and analysis at leading projects tracking service, MEED Projects, said: “More than 800 new hotels worth in excess of US$44 billion have been built over the past seven years in the Middle East and North Africa, as the region benefits from increased visitor numbers, new world-class tourist attractions and investment in transport infrastructure.
“Leading the way in this tourism drive has been the UAE, with more than $20 billion worth of hotel construction contracts awarded since 2012. This total is more than double the amount awarded in the second-highest country, Saudi Arabia, which saw just over $10 billion worth of hotel deals awarded in the same time frame.
According to the AHIC Hotel Investment Forecast, the levels of investment show no signs of slowing.
“Just under $30 billion worth of hotels are due to be awarded in the region over the next five years,” revealed James. “The UAE again leads the way with almost US$11 billion worth of planned and un-awarded hotel projects, including The Address Harbour Point, MGM Resorts and Warner Bros hotels in Dubai, and Marriott Resort Ras Al Khaimah, to name but a few.”
Hotel investment prospects for the region will be discussed in depth at the 15th edition of AHIC, which will take place from 9-11 April 2019 at a new purpose-built AHIC Village in the grounds of the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, in partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA).
Jonathan Worsley, chairman of Bench Events and founder of AHIC, said: “We’re excited to hear from our partner, MEED Projects, that the value of future hotel investments in the region is only going to get larger. That said, increased supply brings with it a unique set of challenges and AHIC provides the perfect forum to discuss and debate these. Under the theme Synchronised for Success, AHIC 2019 will include numerous conference and networking sessions that tackle how the industry can work together to capitalise on opportunities, overcome obstacles and maximise returns for the future.”
“Tourism has boomed in the MENA region as a result of the government’s commitment to diversifying economy. Relaxed visa regulations, enhanced marketing, and investment in key attractions and events, such as Louvre Abu Dhabi, Dubai Parks and Resorts, and the Bahrain and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, have helped drive a record numbers of tourists to the region. Saudi Arabia has made tourism the centrepiece of its 2030 Vision with the multibillion-dollar Neom and Red Sea mega-developments. At the same time, investment in new hotels and renovations of older properties has helped propel the Middle East into one of the world’s fastest growing tourism hotspots.”
Ras Al Khaimah, where AHIC will be held for the second year, is one of the markets in the UAE with the most potential for hotel development. The emirate is preparing to add 5,000 rooms, by the end of 2021, to the 6,500 currently available with the confirmed introduction of major global brands over the next three years.
