Marriott celebrates record signings
Marriott International, Inc. announced another year of strong growth across Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) with a record-breaking number of annual signings of 291 deals representing over 34,000 rooms in 2024. The company added over 180 properties to its operating portfolio in EMEA last year, expanding its product offerings in the region across travel purposes and segments – from affordable midscale to luxury, as well as entering three new markets – Luxembourg, Angola and Senegal. Following the record year of deal signings in the region, the company’s total pipeline for EMEA grew to 596 properties at year-end, representing 104,731 rooms (a 10 per cent increase from the previous year). Conversions drove growth across segments and markets in EMEA, representing 45 per cent of the region’s rooms signings in the year. Sunset Hospitality Group secures $25m Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG), a leading global lifestyle hospitality company headquartered in the UAE, has secured an additional $25 million investment from the Private Credit business at Goldman Sachs Asset Management. This investment follows the recent announcement by Goldman Sachs that it is exploring establishing a new private credit strategy focused on the GCC regions. This transaction further strengthens SHG’s ability to deliver strong financial performance and executes its ambitious growth strategy in the international hospitality sector. With this latest funding, SHG will accelerate key strategic projects, with a strong focus on expanding its Hotels and Resorts division. Under the METT Hotels & Resorts brand, Sunset Hotels & Resorts is set to launch new properties in Barcelona, Milan, Sitges, and Singapore in 2025 – marking a major milestone in its global expansion. Wego and Accor announce strategic partnership Wego, the #1 travel app and the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has entered a new strategic distribution partnership with Accor, as part of their commitment to deepen Accor’s digital presence and strengthen the Group’s connection with regional travellers across MENA. Through this collaboration, Accor is focused on expanding its reach across high potential markets including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and other GCC countries. Craig Hewett, Co-Founder and Chief Hotels Officer at Wego, said: “This collaboration with Accor couldn’t come at a better time. As the region witnesses a surge in travel, our mission is to provide travellers with exceptional value and seamless access to the world’s best hospitality. Partnering with Accor enables us to deliver curated hotel experiences to millions of users, reinforcing our commitment to innovation, personalization, and trust.” Crowne Plaza by IHG focus on blended travel Crowne Plaza by IHG – one of the world's largest premium hotel brands and a thought-leader in the blended travel space – has released its second white paper, Leading the Charge in Blended Travel. The report unveils a major shift since its 2022 report, driven by a new breed of companies and individuals seeking far-reaching flexibility that extends beyond traditional work-life balance and into a holistic approach focused on personal growth, mind-body equity, and connection when travelling. Notably, the report highlights India's leading role in embracing blended travel, with 33 per cent of Indian respondents having experienced blended travel before. "Flexibility in where and when people work is now an expectation for today's professionals," said Ginger Taggart, Vice President of Brand Management – Global Premium Brands, IHG Hotels & Resorts.