Marriott International has announced an 8.3 per cent increase in revenue per available room (RevPAR) figures across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region for last year compared to the previous year.

Marriott's portfolio in the MEA region currently comprises 42 properties in 12 countries, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

Driven by a 5.3 per cent growth in occupancy, Marriott International said that performance was boosted by three openings last year, it stated.

The Courtyard by Marriott Diplomatic Quarter, Marriott Executive Apartments Riyadh Makarim and the flagship JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai all opened last year.

The 186-room Rabat Marriott Hotel will open in Morocco next year, while the 181-room Constantine Marriott Hotel in Algeria and 210-room Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh North in Saudi Arabia will open in 2015 and the 300-room JW Marriott Casablanca in Morocco and 150-room Lagos Marriott Hotel in Nigeria in 2016.

The new hotels will bring the total number of announced properties joining Marriott International's MEA portfolio by 2017 to 48 and are indicative of the company's aggressive growth plans, particularly for Africa, said the report.

"These results clearly demonstrate the continued growth of the region's hospitality industry, with our exceptional RevPAR and room occupancy rates making a significant mark in the sector," Marriott International, Middle East and Africa president and managing director Alex Kyriakidis said.

"We also plan to recruit more than 21,000 associates over the next five years," he added.-TradeArabia News Service