Saudi Arabia Leads Middle East's Hotel Construction Boom with Record Pipeline

What's Happening?

The Middle East is experiencing a significant surge in hotel construction, with Saudi Arabia at the forefront. According to the Q2 2025 Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report by Lodging Econometrics, the region has reached an all-time high with 650 projects and 161,574 rooms. This represents a 7% increase in projects and a 10% increase in rooms year-over-year. Currently, 337 hotel projects are under construction, accounting for 86,447 rooms. The report highlights a strong focus on luxury and upper upscale segments, with these categories comprising 55% of the projects and 56% of the rooms. Saudi Arabia leads with 342 projects and 92,187 rooms, followed by Egypt and the UAE. Key cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dubai are seeing significant growth in hotel construction activities.

Why It's Important?

The expansion of the hotel construction pipeline in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, underscores the region's commitment to enhancing its hospitality sector. This growth is likely to boost tourism, create jobs, and stimulate economic development. The focus on luxury and upper upscale segments indicates a strategic move to attract high-end tourists and business travelers. As the region diversifies its economy away from oil dependency, the hospitality sector's growth could play a crucial role in economic stability and diversification. Countries like Egypt and the UAE also stand to benefit from increased tourism and international business engagement.

What's Next?

The Middle East is expected to continue its hotel construction boom, with forecasts indicating the opening of 89 new hotels by the end of 2025. This expansion is likely to attract more international hotel brands and investors, further boosting the region's global hospitality profile. As construction progresses, there may be increased competition among Middle Eastern countries to attract tourists and business travelers, potentially leading to more innovative and luxurious hospitality offerings.