Worldhotels is planning new properties in the Middle East as it sees significant year on year growth in revenue, room nights and room rates for the region.
During 2007, the group”s seven hotels there - in Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordon, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - saw total revenue increasing 43% from 2006.
Room nights were up by 19% and the average room rate grew by 20% to $240 (”120).
First quarter results for 2008 are showing no slowdown in demand, with total revenue increasing 52% and room nights by 36% compared to the same period in 2007.
Worldhotels plans to add at least three further properties to its Middle Eastern portfolio during the next two years. It wants three Buddha Bar Hotels and Resorts, one on ”The World” ” Dubai”s island project representing the seven continents of the globe ” and another two in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.
”The growth in this market for Worldhotels is exceedingly significant and we are very pleased to expand the portfolio of unique luxury hotels such as the five-star properties of Buddha Bar Hotels and Resorts in the region,” said Worldhotels senior director business development and relations Ingo Gurges.