Hotels (Commonwealth Union) _ Barceló Hotel Group, a prominent Spanish hospitality management company, unveils its ambitious 2024 global expansion strategy, representing a significant investment exceeding $400 million. Building upon the exceptional performance of 2023, characterized by notable increases in Average Daily Rate (ADR) and occupancy rate, the group plans to focus on acquiring new properties, refurbishing existing ones, and repositioning projects to solidify its position as a leading player in the Middle East, Africa, and Türkiye (MEAT) region.
José Canals, Managing Director for Middle East, Asia, Mediterranean, and North Africa at Barceló Hotel Group, emphasizes the strategic importance of the MENA region and outlines plans to cater to key source markets. The group’s expansion efforts will include the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Türkiye.
In the Middle East, Barceló Hotel Group will enhance its regional presence with new property openings, including a debut property in Bahrain and the strategic revamp of Occidental Al Jaddaf in the UAE. Türkiye will witness the opening of a new five-star Barceló property in Cappadocia, alongside investments in urban travel destinations such as Istanbul, Izmir, and Antalya.
Expanding into Africa, the group plans to introduce its renowned Occidental Hotel & Resorts brand in Morocco, with investments in Tangier, Casablanca, and Rabat. Additionally, refurbishments and repositioning efforts are underway for existing properties in Marrakech.
In Cape Verde, Barceló Hotel Group will open its first city hotel on the island of Santiago, with plans for further expansion to Sal and Boa Vista. Moreover, the group will break ground on a luxury resort in Zanzibar, Tanzania, under its Royal Hideaway Hotels & Resorts brand.
The expansion extends to Southeast Asia, with strategic openings planned in Indonesia and the Maldives. Recent investments in Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Spain further underscore the group’s commitment to global expansion. Raul González, CEO of Barceló Hotel Group, emphasizes the alignment of the expansion strategy with the United National Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring economic, social, and environmental benefits for the communities in which the group operates
