Hilton Worldwide has signed an agreement with Al Hokair Group for its fourth hotel in the Eastern Province. The latest deal is a 153-room conversion property in Dhahran, which is expected to rebrand and reopen as DoubleTree by Hilton Dhahran at the end of 2013.
Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Hilton Worldwide Middle East & Africa, said "our commitment to Saudi Arabia is steadfast as we continue to seek out the best possible opportunities at a range of locations to grow our brands and to serve KSA's many different communities. With 21 properties in our Saudi pipeline, we now have the largest development program in the region which, when realized, will expand our presence to eight different cities and give us a total of almost 10,000 rooms in the Kingdom."
DoubleTree by Hilton Dhahran is also conveniently close to key leisure destinations including the city's two biggest shopping malls and a new, hi-tech museum dedicated to the rich history of the petroleum industry in Saudi Arabia.
Sami Al Hokair, CEO & Managing Director of Al Hokair Group, said "we place tremendous value on the special business relationship we have with Hilton Worldwide, which started with the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya. We are jointly developing a further two properties in the Kingdom and I am delighted our professional and productive relationship will continue with this major announcement to bring an outstanding new brand to the local Eastern Province market."
John Greenleaf, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton, said "we hope our presence in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province will help meet the growing demand for premium hotels with global expertise and local sensibilities. This latest signing, the sixth DoubleTree by Hilton hotel planned for the Kingdom, brings awareness of the brand to an important and growing city and adds diversity to our expanding Saudi pipeline."
The Saudi Gazette
8 July
