Premier Inn Middle East and Equitativa Real Estate ink Dh2-billion deal to launch up to eight hotels in the GCC, adding around 3,500 keys across major cities
Around 600 new hospitality jobs are expected across the UAE and GCC as Premier Inn Middle East signs an agreement with Equitativa Real Estate to develop new properties in major regional cities.
The deal will see six to eight hotels launched, providing approximately 3,500 keys across key locations in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
The planned expansion, with an investment of approximately Dh2 billion, will double Premier Inn’s existing portfolio of 3,184 keys.
“The planned expansion is expected to generate substantial employment opportunities, both within Premier Inn Middle East and across the broader GCC job market, supporting careers in hospitality, operations, and management. It also allows us to continue nurturing local talent as part of our long-term commitment to the region,” the hotel group said in a statement.
Premier Inn Middle East, a joint venture between the Emirates Group and Whitbread, currently operates 11 hotels across the UAE and Qatar. The strategic partnership with Equitativa Real Estate will target high-demand markets, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh, and Jeddah, focusing on city and airport locations to support the long-term tourism and economic goals of both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Hotel demand is rising in the UAE and the wider Gulf region, driven by increasing foreign tourist arrivals and a growing trend of staycations.
Dubai, a key regional and global tourism hub, welcomed 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, a 5 per cent increase from 18.72 million arrivals in 2024, according to data from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. This marks the third consecutive year of record-setting figures.
DET’s full-year data show that GCC and MENA proximity markets accounted for 26 per cent of total visitors to Dubai in 2025, with 2.99 million (15 per cent) and 2.17 million (11 per cent) arrivals, respectively.
Simon Leigh, Managing Director of Premier Inn Middle East, and Sylvain Vieujot, Chairman of Equitativa Real Estate, signed the MoU to develop six to eight new Premier Inn hotels. Photo: Premier Inn Middle East
Simon Leigh stated that the partnership supports the company’s ambition for long-term, 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 demand for high-quality mid-market accommodation continues to outpace supply,” he said.
Sylvain Vieujot added that Premier Inn’s strong value proposition aligns well with the needs of travellers across the GCC and the growing demand for mid-market hotels.
