UAE dominates regional hotel development pipeline
The UAE, led by upcoming developments in Dubai, consolidated its position as the region’s largest and most important hotel market in October, according to new data published by hotel industry analyst STR.
The firm’s monthly hotel pipeline data showed 434 projects accounting for 119,991 rooms currently under construction in the Middle East.
In addition, there are 28,541 rooms in the final planning stage and 45,273 rooms in planning, according to STR.
The UAE has 52,810 guestrooms under construction, equating to 30.1% of existing supply in the country.
By comparison, second-ranked Saudi Arabia currently has 38,912 guestrooms under construction.
Just three other countries in the Middle East and Africa have more than 4,000 guestrooms under construction as of October 2019: Qatar with 14,318 rooms (52.9% of existing supply); Oman (5,049 rooms / 26.6% of supply) and Egypt (4,976 rooms / 2.9% supply).
As one of the UAE’s leading hotel developers, The First Group currently has seven properties under development in Dubai in dynamic precincts including Dubai Marina, Business Bay and Jumeirah Village.
In the Marina district, it is developing Ciel, the award-winning high-rise development that will be the world’s tallest hotel upon completion. Designed by leading international architect NORR, Ciel will house 1,042 luxury guestrooms and suites, world-class guest amenities, and a panoramic rooftop observation deck that will be the tallest in Dubai Marina.
Its upcoming properties in Jumeirah Village – Avalon Tower (operating as Copthorne Jumeirah Village Circle), The One at Jumeirah Village Circle (operating as Ramada Plaza JVC) and The One at Jumeirah Village Triangle (operating as Millennium Place JVT) – are all conveniently located close to Dubai South, home to the site of Expo 2020 Dubai.
Meanwhile, in Business Bay, which is situated adjacent to Dubai Canal and Downtown Dubai, the firm is currently developing The One Hotel at Business Bay (operating as Millennium Place Business Bay), Sky Bay Hotel Business Bay (operating as Ramada Plaza Business Bay) and Dolphin Tower at Business Bay.