Saudi Arabia Nearly Doubles UAE in Hotel Room Construction

Saudi Arabia has the largest hotel construction activity in the Middle East and Africa region, followed by United Arab Emirates, according to hotel research firm STR. Saudi Arabia topped the regional list with 42,033 hotel rooms, followed by United Arab Emirates with 22,324 rooms, as per March 2023 pipeline data report from STR. Most of the region’s pipeline activity is focused in the Middle East, STR said. In March, around 119,505 rooms were under construction in the Middle East and Africa, which is down 6 percent compared to March 2022. STR further noted that each of the four world regions — Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and the Americas — showed a year-over-year decline in hotel construction activity, with Asia Pacific coming closest to its 2022 comparable. However, the picture is more positive for the Middle East and Africa. The region has 45,529 rooms in the "final planning stage," up 20 percent year-on-year, while the rooms in the "planning stage" have gone up to 84,116, an increase of 21.2 percent year-on-year.

Yas Island Abu Dhabi has appointed American actor Jason Momoa as the destination’s newest chief island officer. Momoa takes over from stand-up comedian and actor Kevin Hart, who had been appointed the chief island officer of Yas in May last year. In the new trailer video, Momoa is seen making a casual yet epic entrance on a paddle board announcing that his calling has led him to “this ridiculously awesome job”, as the W Hotel façade is lit up to welcome him officially, as the new chief island officer. In his new role, Momoa said he looks forward to showing fans how they can "Live It Up Like Momoa." "As Yas Island Abu Dhabi continues to entertain guests with best-in-class experiences and with offerings that resonate with visitors from all over the world, we look forward to raising the bar even higher in the days to come with Jason Momoa as the island’s newest officer," said Liam Findlay, CEO of Miral Destinations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nS3dDfy2FR4 The teaser to announce Jason Momoa's appointment as the new chief island officer of Yas Island. Source: @yasislandae

Fueled by a steady influx of tourists from three top source markets — India, Russia and Oman, the United Arab Emirate’s hospitality sector witnessed a strong growth trajectory in the first quarter of 2023, according to the latest JLL UAE Real Estate Market Overview Report. Dubai welcomed around 3.1