Saudi Arabia has the largest hotel construction activity in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), followed by the UAE, global hotel research firm STR said in its March 2023 pipeline data report.

Saudi Arabia, the largest economy in the Middle East, topped the regional MEA list with 42,033 hotel rooms, followed by the UAE with 22,324 rooms.

Most of the region’s pipeline activity is focused in the Middle East, STR said, adding 119,505 rooms were under construction in the MEA, down 5.8% year-on-year, in March 2023. 

The region has 45,529 rooms, up 20.4% year-on-year, in the final planning stage, with 84,116 rooms, an increase of 21.2% year-on-year, in the planning phase.

Last week, STR reported that Abu Dhabi and Dubai hotels are forecast to achieve occupancy above 80% during the Eid Al-Fitr holidays.

(Editing by Seban Scaria seban.scaria@lseg.com)