Press room
Radisson Hotel Group strengthens Middle East and Northeast Africa growth with landmark signings, openings, and branded residences
Radisson Hotel Group is highlighting a strong 12 months of development activity across the Middle East, and Northeast Africa marked by new signing, openings, strategic conversions, and continued expansion across the region. The momentum reflects sustained owner confidence in the Group’s brands and operating platforms, as well as demand for hospitality products that respond to the region’s expanding business, leisure, religious tourism, and residential markets.
The Group’s recent activity spans gateway cities, major tourism destinations, and emerging commercial centers. It includes urban hotels, resorts, serviced apartments, branded residences, and mixed-use developments, giving owners access to a broad portfolio of brands and flexible operating models across different asset classes and demand segments.
Elie Milky, Regional Chief Development Officer, Middle East, Northeast Africa, Greece & Cyprus, Radisson Hotel Group, said: “The Middle East remains one of the most compelling hospitality growth regions globally, supported by strong tourism strategies, infrastructure investment and increasingly diverse sources of demand. Our progress across the region reflects a disciplined approach focused on the right brands, the right partners, and assets that are built to perform. The opportunity now extends well beyond traditional hotels, with conversions, serviced apartments, resorts, branded residences, and mixed-use developments becoming an increasingly important part of the market.”
Saudi Arabia growth across major cities and the Holy Cities
Radisson Hotel Group continues to expand in Saudi Arabia, with 50 hotels open and under development across the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia is now one of the Group’s top five global markets and one of its largest development opportunities in the Middle East. The Group aims to reach 100 hotels in operation and under development in the Kingdom by 2030.
The Group maintained strong development momentum in Saudi Arabia year-to-date through 2025 and 2026, signing more than 1,500 keys. This continued growth reflects sustained owner confidence in the Kingdom, as well as strong demand across key Saudi cities driven by business travel, religious tourism, extended stays, and destination development.
Recent openings in 2026 [ZS1] have added close to 1000 keys to the Group’s Saudi portfolio across Riyadh, Jeddah and Makkah. These include Radisson Collection Residences, Riyadh, Radisson Hotel Jeddah Tahlia, and Radisson Thakher Makkah City. This momentum is set to continue as the year draws to a close, with Radisson Hotel Group expecting to open almost 1,000 additional keys by 2027 in the Kingdom across key Saudi destinations.
In Riyadh, the Group is expanding across serviced apartments, corporate hotels, extended-stay products, and meetings-led assets, including the recent signing of AMSA VUE, a member of Radisson Individuals. In Madinah, Radisson Hotel Madinah adds capacity in a market supported by religious tourism, infrastructure investment, and growing demand for internationally branded accommodation, while Radisson Residences Makkah Thakher City expand the Group’s hotel and serviced residence offering in Makkah.
Radisson Hotel Group is also progressing its pipeline in Madinah through an agreement with Knowledge Economic City to develop a new Park Inn by Radisson hotel and serviced apartments. The project will add 733 keys, including a 587-key hotel and 146 serviced apartments, supporting demand for midscale and longer-stay accommodation in one of the Kingdom’s most important religious destinations.
United Arab Emirates growth across hotels, resorts, and branded living
In the UAE, Radisson Hotel Group is advancing a diversified pipeline across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah. The recent opening of Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Barsha Heights, strengthened the Group’s Dubai portfolio through the conversion of a well-located urban asset, demonstrating how conversions can provide owners with a faster route to international distribution, loyalty reach, and a globally recognized brand.
In Ras Al Khaimah, the 269-room Radisson RED Ras Al Khaimah on Marjan Island will introduce the brand’s playful and vibrant upper-upscale concept and will become the first Radisson RED property in the emirate. Developed with BB Holding, the lifestyle hotel will feature private beach access, four dining venues, a rooftop restaurant, leisure facilities, and dedicated meetings and events space.
The Group has also partnered with BNW Developments on Radisson Blu Hotel, RAK Central, and Radisson Blu Residences, RAK Central. Scheduled to open in 2029, the dual-tower project will form part of the 3.1 million-square-foot RAK Central master plan and will comprise a 361-key hotel and 222 branded residences. The development brings together hospitality, residential living, and access to shared hotel services and amenities in Ras Al Khaimah’s emerging financial and commercial district.
In Abu Dhabi, Radisson Residences Al Reem Island, developed by Royal Development Holding in collaboration with Radisson Hotel Group, marks the world’s first standalone Radisson Residences project. The waterfront development comprises three contemporary residential towers connected by a shared podium, combining branded living, modern design, panoramic views, and community-led amenities in one of the capital’s most established lifestyle districts.
Egypt expansion across Cairo and the North Coast
Egypt remains a priority development market for Radisson Hotel Group, supported by tourism growth, infrastructure investment, and demand for internationally branded accommodation across Cairo, leisure destinations, and emerging cities. The Group currently has five hotels in operation and eight under development in the country, with an ambition to grow to 30 hotels in operation and under development by 2030.
Recent signings have expanded Radisson Hotel Group’s pipeline across Egypt’s resort and urban markets. On the North Coast, the Group has signed the 160-room Radisson Blu Resort El Almain, its second resort in the destination, while the upcoming Radisson Collection Resort, Marsa Alam Port Venice, will bring the brand to the Red Sea coast.
In Greater Cairo, the 398-key Radisson Serviced Apartments Kawn 6th of October City will form part of a mixed-use development by Elaf, with facilities serving apartment guests and visitors to the office complex. The Group has also signed a management agreement with Al Naser Developments for 150 Radisson Serviced Apartments within a mixed-use project in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital. Its first property in the New Capital which will extend the Group’s presence in the wider Cairo market.
A broader platform for regional development
The latest projects demonstrate how Radisson Hotel Group is adapting its development strategy to the region’s changing investment landscape. Conversions in established cities can accelerate market entry and reposition existing assets. Serviced apartments and residences respond to demand for longer stays and professionally managed branded living, while resorts and mixed-use developments allow the Group to participate in the creation of new destinations.
The Group remains on track toward its regional ambition of 150 hotels, resorts, and serviced apartments in operation and under development by 2030, strengthening its position as a leading international hotel group in the Middle East.
ABOUT RADISSON HOTEL GROUP
Radisson Hotel Group is a rapidly expanding international hotel group, operating in EMEA and APAC with more than 1,660 hotels in operation and under development in +100 countries. The Group’s overarching brand promise is Every Moment Matters with a signature Yes I Can! service ethos.
The Radisson brand portfolio includes Radisson Collection, art’otel, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, and Prize by Radisson — brought together under one commercial umbrella brand, Radisson Hotels.
Radisson Rewards is Radisson Hotel Group’s loyalty program, which delivers an elevated experience that makes Every Moment Matter, counting more than 29 million members. As the most streamlined program in the sector, members enjoy exceptional advantages and can access their benefits from day one across a wide range of hotels in Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.
Radisson Meetings provides tailored solutions for any event or meeting, including hybrid solutions, placing guests and their needs at the heart of its offer. Radisson Meetings is built around three strong service commitments: Personal, Professional, and Memorable, while delivering on the brilliant basics and being uniquely Carbon Compensated.
At Radisson Hotel Group, we care for people, communities, and planet, and are committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050 in line with Science Based Targets. Through initiatives such as carbon-compensated Radisson Meetings and a growing portfolio of sustainable certifications, including Hotel Sustainability Basics, we assist guests to make more sustainable travel choices.
The health and safety of guests and team members remain a top priority for Radisson Hotel Group. All properties across the Group’s portfolio are subject to health and safety requirements, ensuring we always care for our guests and team members.
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