The GCC and North Africa has $90 billion worth of hotels and resorts in the pipeline, that will add nearly 200,000 rooms, thus boosting the region’s existing supply by 27%, according to a report released ahead of the 2026 edition of Future Hospitality Summit – FHS World to be held in Dubai.
With around 88,000 rooms currently under construction and another 25,000 in the final planning stages, over 55% of upcoming hotels in the region are set to be delivered between now and 2030, stated the research from global hospitality consultancy HVS.
According to the report, Saudi Arabia is the dominant force in the Middle East’s hotel expansion, with 110,000 rooms - around 50% of the regional pipeline – under development in Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah, Diriyah, NEOM, the Red Sea and Amaala.
The scale of development is unprecedented, but equally significant is the increasing diversification of products, from large pilgrimage-focused hotels to luxury resorts, branded residences and upper midscale accommodation, it stated.
With 42,000 rooms in the pipeline, Egypt is the second most active country, with projects in Cairo, the North Coast, the Red Sea and emerging mixed-use destinations.
Third is the UAE which, as a comparatively mature market, continues to evolve through destination-led developments, particularly in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, where projects such as Wynn Al Marjan Island are further expanding the country's international appeal.
A major industry event, FHS World 2026 will be held at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai from September 29 to October 1, under the theme ‘Reinvest in our Future,’ stated the organisers.
Hala Matar Choufany, President, Middle East, Africa and South Asia at HVS, said: "The hotel development pipeline across the GCC and North Africa remains one of the most significant globally, reflecting continued investor confidence in the long-term fundamentals of the region's tourism and hospitality sectors."
"The region’s investment in hotel expansion underscores not only the scale of development, but also the depth of capital that continues to back the region's tourism ambitions," he noted.
HVS insight shows that capital is being deployed with greater discipline than before, increasingly favouring mixed-use developments, branded residences and phased delivery models that improve project economics and manage risk more effectively.
Funding models have also evolved, with increasingly diverse capital structures.
"The region's hotel pipeline is no longer just a story of scale, it's one of discipline, with capital deployed with far greater intention. But what’s changed the most is how projects are financed," he noted.
"The sector has moved well beyond the traditional mix of developer equity and bank debt. In Saudi Arabia especially, large-scale destination developments are being underpinned by government-backed investment vehicles and strategic public-private partnerships, while developers across the wider region are diversifying revenue streams through branded residences and mixed-use components," stated Choufany.
The 200,000 new rooms will be delivered in phases, hitting the market progressively rather than all at once. Around 44% are currently being built, with much of the remaining supply expected to be handed over in stages through to 2030 and beyond.
Delivery will also vary between markets, with some operating on long-term timelines and others more immediate, according to HVS.
In Saudi Arabia, major destination projects are being delivered in phases extending well into the next decade, while the UAE's delivery pipeline is shorter term, with a significant proportion expected by 2028-2030. In Egypt, the development cycle is spread across several years, particularly in the North Coast, Cairo and Red Sea destinations.
The high-end hotel segment – luxury and upper-upscale properties – continue to represent the biggest share of hotel supply, reflecting strong investor appetite for premium experiences, branded products and integrated resort destinations. At the same time, there is growing activity in the upper midscale segment, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where brands such as Hampton by Hilton, Holiday Inn Express, Fairfield by Marriott and ibis are expanding to support broader tourism objectives and offer more accessible accommodation options.
Choufany pointed out that the next phase of the region’s hospitality industry will not be defined solely by the number of hotels delivered.
Success will increasingly depend on the fundamentals that support long-term performance. Connectivity remains critical, whether through expanded airlift, transport infrastructure or seamless digital access. Equally important is service delivery: as new destinations emerge, investing in talent, operational excellence and guest experience will be essential to ensuring that new supply translates into sustainable demand and attractive investor returns, he noted.
"The outlook for the region remains positive, but, as capital becomes more selective and markets more competitive, future winners will be those destinations that combine ambitious development plans with strong execution, connectivity and service excellence. Ultimately, the focus is shifting from simply building hotels to creating sustainable, globally competitive hospitality ecosystems," he added.
Ali Shahid, CEO of The Bench, organisers of FHS World, said: "This data reflects the extraordinary scale of opportunity across the region, and the increasing sophistication of the region’s hospitality investment landscape."
"At FHS World, investment and real estate will be at the core of the conference agenda, with industry leaders examining where global capital sees opportunity and how investors are recalibrating for returns," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
