---

Written by Dubai Weekly Editorial Team

Premier Inn Middle East has unveiled plans for a major regional expansion valued at approximately Dh2 billion, a move set to double its existing portfolio and reinforce its footprint across the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

The agreement, signed with Equitativa Real Estate, will see the development of six to eight new hotels, delivering around 3,500 additional keys in high-demand urban and airport locations. The expansion is expected to create roughly 600 new hospitality jobs across the UAE and wider GCC region.

Doubling Capacity Across Strategic Markets

The new properties will significantly expand Premier Inn Middle East’s current portfolio of 3,184 keys. The company, a joint venture between Emirates Group and UK-based Whitbread, currently operates 11 hotels across the UAE and Qatar.

Under the strategic partnership, developments are planned in key markets including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh, and Jeddah. The focus will be on city-center and airport locations, aligning with regional tourism strategies and long-term economic diversification goals in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Company representatives said the expansion reflects growing demand for reliable, high-quality mid-market accommodation throughout the Gulf.

Employment and Talent Development

In a statement, Premier Inn Middle East emphasized that the expansion will generate meaningful employment opportunities across hospitality operations, management, and support functions.

“The planned expansion is set to create significant employment opportunities, both within Premier Inn Middle East and across the broader GCC job market,” the company noted. “This growth also allows us to continue developing local talent as part of our long-term commitment to the region.”

The anticipated 600 new jobs are expected to support not only hotel operations but also ancillary services within the hospitality ecosystem.

Rising Tourism Fuels Hotel Demand

The announcement comes amid sustained growth in tourism across the UAE and the broader Gulf region. Increasing international arrivals, business travel, and a rising preference for staycations have all contributed to heightened demand for accommodation.

Dubai, in particular, continues to post record-breaking visitor figures. According to data from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the city welcomed 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025 — a 5 percent increase from 18.72 million in 2024. This marked the third consecutive year of record-setting performance.

DET’s full-year figures also showed that proximity markets remain critical to Dubai’s tourism ecosystem. The GCC accounted for 15 percent of total visitors in 2025, equivalent to 2.99 million arrivals, while the wider MENA region contributed 11 percent, or 2.17 million visitors.

---

Meeting Mid-Market Demand

Simon Leigh, Managing Director of Premier Inn Middle East, described the partnership with Equitativa as a strategic step toward sustainable growth.

“By combining our operational expertise with Equitativa’s asset management experience and regional knowledge, we look forward to bringing more Premier Inn hotels to markets where the demand for high-quality mid-market accommodation continues to outpace supply,” Leigh said.

Sylvain Vieujot, Chairman of Equitativa Real Estate, highlighted the strength of Premier Inn’s value-driven positioning within the hospitality sector.

“Premier Inn’s strong value proposition aligns well with the needs of travelers across the GCC and the growing demand for mid-market hotels,” Vieujot noted.

Supporting Long-Term Regional Ambitions

The expansion aligns with broader economic transformation initiatives in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where tourism plays a central role in diversification strategies. With infrastructure investment accelerating and international connectivity improving, demand for accessible, dependable accommodation continues to rise.

By targeting gateway cities and airport hubs, Premier Inn aims to capitalize on transit traffic, corporate travel, and leisure tourism — segments expected to remain resilient in the years ahead.

As regional visitor numbers climb and hospitality supply adapts to evolving traveler preferences, Premier Inn’s Dh2 billion expansion signals confidence in the Gulf’s long-term tourism trajectory.