Hilton Garden Inn’s first property in the Middle East and North Africa (mena) has opened its doors in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Christopher J Nasset, president and CEO of Hilton Worldwide was on hand at the launch last month of the Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya.
“This opening marks the entry of our first mid-market, mid-priced brand into the Middle East and Africa and is expected to be the first of many Hilton Garden Inn hotels in Saudi Arabia that we are developing with the owners, the Al Hokair Group,” said Nassetta, who was on a tour of the Middle East.
“There is tremendous demand from the business and corporate travel segment for focused service brands like Hilton Garden Inn in this region.”
The new hotel, which has 180 rooms and suites, is the first of many openings within the strategic development agreement signed between Hilton and the Al Hokair Group.
Over the next five years, the duo plan to introduce Hilton Garden Inn hotels in locations such as Riyadh, Al Khobar, Dammam, Jubail, King Abdullah Economic City, Taif, Abha, Tabuk, Hail/ Buraydah and Yanbu. The second Hilton Garden Inn is set to open in Riyadh (Al Muroj) in 2010.
Sami Al-Hokair, executive vice president of Abdulmohsen Al Hokair and Sons Holding Co, owner of the Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya, said: “As we face a surge in domestic and business travel across the Kingdom, Hilton’s established credentials and well positioned brands will help us manage demand.”
Hilton Garden Inn has made its foray into the Middle East in tandem with the business sector’s growth in demand.
The brand, which has more than 450 hotels spread across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Central America, predominantly targets the fast-growing business segment.