Marriott International will manage nine new properties in Saudi Arabia starting in 2010 under an agreement with Fawaz Abdul Aziz Al-Hokair & Associates Hotel Company.

The new hotels will be located in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Jubail and will represent the following Marriott International brands: The Ritz-Carlton Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Executive Apartments and Courtyard by Marriott.

When opened, they will substantially increase Marriott International’s presence in the Kingdom from three now to 12 properties.

 “We are excited by the dramatic growth these hotels represent for our portfolio in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and are delighted to share Fawaz Abdul Aziz Al-Hokair & Associates Hotel Company’s vision of the Kingdom’s future. Travel and tourism are quickly becoming an integral part of the economic landscape in many parts of the Middle East and we are pleased to help encourage and build this future direction,” said Ed Fuller, president and managing director of International Lodging for Marriott International.

“Partnering with Marriott provides us with a great opportunity to further extend our business offering and move into the hotels segment with a truly world class brands. We foresee a long-term benefit for both parties as the demand for upscale and upper-scale accommodations is not currently met in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The continued economic and business growth will drive travel inflow and this will maintain high demand and profitability for the hotels business. With us, Marriott are in the best position to tap into this opportunity,” said Fawaz Abdul Aziz Al Hokair, chairman of the Fawaz Abdul Aziz Al-Hokair & Associates Hotel Company.

“We are proud to introduce the Courtyard by Marriott brand to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We are confident with its modern design and quality of services, the Courtyard Brand will truly reflect today’s savvy travelers’ needs, and we expect the hotel to be a welcome addition to the community”, he added.

Among the hotels included in the agreement are the following:

• The Ritz-Carlton Hotel and The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Riyadh expected to open in 2011. 

The 250-room Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh and the 80-unit Ritz-Carlton Residences, Riyadh will be located on King Fahad Road.

The hotel will have five restaurants including a pool outlet/grill in addition to a lobby lounge and cigar lounge. Recreational amenities will include a health and leisure club, a spa with separate male and female facilities, and two swimming pools with outdoor seating area. The hotel also offers 69,500 sq ft of public space for social events such as weddings and conferences, a business center, 24-hour room service and retail shops.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences will also have a residents’ lounge. 

• Dammam Marriott Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments Damman, expected to open in 2011

The 250-room Dammam Marriott and the 50-unit Marriott Executive Apartments, Dammam will be located at the intersection of Khalij and Amir Muhammad Bin Fahad Bin Abdul-Aziz Roads.

The Marriott hotel will have two restaurants, a spacious, flexible lobby and lounge, an outdoor swimming pool, two health and leisure clubs with separate facilities for men and women, a business centre and 24-hour room service.

The Marriott Executive Apartments for extended stays will have one, two and three-room attractively furnished apartments with fully equipped kitchens and will offer guests access to the hotel’s public space and amenities.

• Courtyard by Marriott and Marriott Executive Apartments Mall of Arabia Jeddah, expected to open in 2010.

The 311-room Courtyard by Marriott and 85-unit Marriott Executive Apartments Mall of Arabia Jeddah will be located on Medina Road, the main thoroughfare connecting Jeddah International Airpor