Around 600 new hospitality jobs are expected to be generated across the UAE and wider Gulf region after Premier Inn Middle East signed an agreement with Equitativa Real Estate to develop a new portfolio of hotels in strategic urban and airport locations.
The planned expansion includes six to eight properties delivering nearly 3,500 rooms across major destinations in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The investment, estimated at about Dh2 billion, will more than double Premier Inn’s existing regional capacity of 3,184 keys.
Expansion aligned with regional tourism demand
Premier Inn Middle East currently operates 11 hotels across the UAE and Qatar through a joint venture between Emirates Group and Whitbread.
The new partnership will focus on high-demand markets including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh, and Jeddah.
Developments will prioritise city centres and airport corridors, supporting long-term tourism and economic diversification plans in both countries.
Hospitality demand across the Gulf continues to rise due to stronger international arrivals and growing staycation trends. Dubai alone welcomed 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, a 5% increase from 2024, according to Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. The figures marked the third consecutive year of record visitor numbers.
Job creation and local talent development
The hotel group said the expansion will generate employment across operations, guest services and management roles throughout the GCC.
It also expects the growth to strengthen long-term talent development initiatives in regional hospitality markets.
Company leadership noted that combining operational expertise with Equitativa’s regional asset-management capabilities would help accelerate sustainable expansion in the mid-market hotel segment, where demand continues to outpace supply.
Mid-market hospitality seen as growth driver
Equitativa said Premier Inn’s value-focused offering aligns with evolving traveller expectations across the Gulf, particularly among business visitors, transit passengers and cost-conscious tourists seeking reliable branded accommodation.
Industry observers view mid-scale hotels as a key enabler of tourism growth because they expand room inventory without the high development costs associated with luxury properties. This segment is expected to play an important role as Gulf economies continue investing in aviation, events and leisure infrastructure.
Outlook for regional hotel development
The agreement signals continued confidence in tourism momentum across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where governments are prioritising visitor growth, connectivity and private-sector investment.
As new hotel supply enters the market over the coming years, employment generation and skills development within hospitality are likely to accelerate alongside rising travel demand.
Bottom line:
Premier Inn’s planned expansion with Equitativa reflects a broader regional push to scale mid-market hospitality capacity, create jobs and support sustained tourism growth across the Gulf.
