The UK’s largest hotel brand, Premier Inn, is continuing its international expansion by signed a joint venture to roll out its mid-market chain across Oman.

The agreement marks the beginning of a strategic partnership with the Sultan of Oman and Premier Inn Hotels, a joint venture between Premier Inn and The Emirates Group, under which Premier Inn plans to open three hotels in the country in 2010.

Initial target areas will be Muscat, Sohar and Salalah. It is expected that the first phase of development alone will involve an investment of around Dhs350m (US$95m).

The move comes after this year’s successful Premier Inn Hotel opening in Dubai. Premier Inn Hotels is planning to have 6,000 rooms across the Gulf by 2012, is a joint venture between Premier Inn and The Emirates Group, established to develop the Premier Inn brand across the Middle East.

Colin Elliot, Whitbread’s Chief Operating Officer, International said: “We are very excited by this opportunity to introduce and develop our unique offering of excellent accommodation and first class service at very low cost.

“In Dubai, Premier Inn Hotels LLC has set the benchmark in the value hotel sector by offering room rates from as low as £83 per room per night. Continuing this pricing strategy and forging strategic partnerships around the region lends further weight to Premier Inn’s commitment to be the dominant brand in the region’s budget hotel sector.”

The first Premier Inn Hotel in the region is located in Dubai Investments Park. The hotel features 308 rooms with a restaurant, bar and Costa Coffee outlet in addition to a rooftop swimming pool and whirlpool bath. Further Premier Inn developments are under construction at Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai International Airport and at the Capital Centre, Abu Dhabi.
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