Marriott expands operations in Middle East and Africa

Dubai: Marriott is set to expand its portfolio by adding five new hotels to its Middle East and Africa Portfolio.

Covering four countries, the list includes a 227-room Algiers Marriott and 180-unit Algiers Marriott Executive Spa in Algeria, a 294-room Sahl Hasheesh Marriott Beach Resort on the Red Sea, a 209-room Accra Marriott in Ghana and a 216-room Marrakech Marriott Palm Golf Hotel in Morocco. The hotels will be opened throughout 2012 and the expansion will boost Marriott's Middle East and Africa presence to more than 70 hotels in 12 countries.

"The Middle East appears to have weathered the global economic storm and we're beginning to look forward to rising occupancies through the end of this year into next.

"With its diverse cultural and historic attractions, unique geography and the industry's changing travel patterns, we expect the Middle East and Africa as a whole to play an increasingly important role in the future," said Ed Fuller, president and managing director of international lodging for Marriott.

In line with these additions, Marriott's newly formed Middle East and Africa region office will be based in Dubai.

Mark Satterfield, who is currently vice president for the UK market, has been appointed the new chief operations officer while Jean Marc Grosfort, currently senior vice-president of development for France and Africa, will take on the role as the new chief development officer.