Hotel chains’ interest in Middle East belies slump

Hotel construction in the Middle East languishes in a year-and-a-half-long decline despite newly announced expansion plans by such major players as Marriott International, Accor and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “The next few years will prove pivotal in this region,” Lodging Econometrics says as it forecasts a 36% drop from pre-pandemic levels in projects to begin in the next year.