MUSCAT, OMAN Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has three projects under development in Muscat.
Hotels are under construction in Muscat under the W, Westin and Element brands. Totaling about 700 guestrooms, all three hotels are slated to open in 2013. They will join Sheraton Oman, which is scheduled to reopen this year following an extensive renovation.
Overall, Starwood boasts a Middle East portfolio of nearly 50 hotels and a pipeline of 25 projects. By 2015, the Middle East will become just the second region, along with North America, to operate all nine of Starwood’s brands.
“Reaching out to new frontiers is a key focus for us,” says President and CEO Frits van Paasschen. “With more than 70% of the world’s growth over the decade coming from fast-growing markets such as the Middle East, the region plays a central role in our global expansion and development strategy.”
The new Sheraton Sharjah, due to open in 2013, will mark the debut of Starwood in the emirate. Starwood operates 20 hotels in the UAE, with 10 more in the pipeline.
In 2014, Starwood will bring its luxury St. Regis brand to Jordan with the St. Regis Amman and The Residences at St. Regis Amman.
“Starwood is established as the sector leader in the Middle East, and we are dedicated to continued growth and expansion in the region,” says Roeland Vos, president of Starwood in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. “With 25 hotels set to open in the next few years, this market is integral to our overall growth strategy. We are proud to debut our distinct and compelling brands in so many exciting international business and leisure travel destinations.”