Starwood, Al Tayyar ink deal for Sheraton hotel in Makkah

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement with Saudi-based Al Tayyar Travel Group Holding (Al Tayyar) to open a new Sheraton hotel in Makkah, the US-based hospitality firm said in a statement on Monday.

The Sheraton Makkah Jabal Al Kaaba – located near the Grand Mosque – is scheduled to open by the end of the year, the statement said, adding that the hotel will feature 414 rooms and serviced apartments.

“Saudi Arabia remains one of our strongest growth markets in the region and we are on track to more than double our presence in the country in the next three years,” said Neil George, senior vice president – Acquisitions & Development at Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Africa and Middle East.

Al-Tayyar Travel Group has recently announced a strategic plan to expand its business into the hospitality sector, and build a portfolio complementing its current business of travel-related services and e-commerce. 

“We are committed to modernization across all of our business units to ensure sustained growth through integrating the hospitality aspect and innovation in our existing travel related businesses,” Abdullah Aldawood, CEO of Altayyar Travel Group said.