Starwood Hotels & Resorts Monday said it will open 40 hotels in the Middle East and Africa over the next five years, primarily in the luxury and upper-upscale segments, represents an increase of nearly 60 per cent over the next period. The US-based hotel company has an existing portfolio of nearly 70 hotels in the region.

Plans are also afoot to open a W Hotel in Dubai on The Palm Jumeirah, due to open in 2016. Starwood operates 15 hotels in Dubai, representing the largest concentration of Starwood hotels in any single city outside of New York, the company said in a statement.