Millennium & Copthorne, Middle East and Africa is continuing with its major expansion in Saudi Arabia with the signing of two new hotels in the Holy City of Makkah.

The agreement, signed with one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent companies, Al Rajhi Investments, means Millennium & Copthorne has signed 10 hotels in the kingdom within the past six months, reinforcing its position as the fastest growing operator in the region.

Due to open in 2017, the 822 key Millennium Hotel and 502 key Copthorne Hotel will both be located in the south eastern boundary of the Holy City of Makkah. Situated near to many important religious sites, the hotels will serve the growing number of religious tourists in the kingdom, which are expected to rise from 17.5 million to between 25 and 30 million in 2025.

Ali Hamad Lakhraim Alzaabi, president and CEO, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels MEA, said: “We are delighted to announce this agreement as a strategic partner in this project with Al Rajhi Investments, one of the most respected companies in the region. This agreement marks the beginning of what we believe will be a long and fruitful relationship with Al Rajhi Investments. We are further delighted to underline our commitment to bringing international hospitality standards to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia".

The move shortly follows the signing of four hotels in Knowledge Economic City (KEC) in Madinah last month and is part of Millennium & Copthorne’s strategy to open over 20 hotels in the kingdom within the next five years and 100 hotels across the Middle East by 2020.

Khalid Saud Abuhaimed, CEO, Al Rajhi Investments, said: “We are very pleased to have Millennium & Copthorne as one of our trusted hospitality partners. We believe their international hospitality experience will deliver quality branded hotels. We have witnessed an increase in demand from religious tourists looking for hotels with international hospitality standards and we are confident that this partnership will help support this growth.” – TradeArabia News Service