Frasers Hospitality has announced new openings in Saudi Arabia and Oman in 2018.

The recent opening of Fraser Suites Riyadh and soon-to-open Fraser Suites Muscat join existing properties Fraser Suites Seef, Bahrain, Fraser Suites Diplomatic Area Bahrain, Fraser Suites Doha, Fraser Suites West Bay, Doha and Fraser Suites Dubai.

With three more properties planned in Dubai, one in Jeddah, one in Al Khobar and one in Kuwait, Frasers Hospitality is set to double its footprint in the region to 13 properties over the next few years.

“It is timely for us to scale up in the Middle East.

“We have a loyal base of corporate customers and this has contributed to the success of our properties in Bahrain, Doha and Dubai, which are enjoying average occupancies of over 85 per cent,” said Choe Peng Sum, chief executive of Frasers Hospitality.

From now till 2020, the top three business travel markets in the Middle East are expected to be the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Bahrain is also drawing large numbers of business tourists due to its hosting of conferences such as the World Islamic Banking Conference.

In a first for Saudi Arabia, the kingdom is planning to issue tourist visas from April as it pushes ahead with major economic and social reforms.

A massive tourism project along its Red Sea coastline is also on the cards.

“Saudi Arabia is expecting more than 31 million tourist arrivals by 2027 as it commits to implementing Vision 2030, its most ambitious economic reform programme to date,” Choe pointed out.

Encouraged by such promising prospects, the newly opened Fraser Suites Riyadh aims to meet the needs of a growing financial district in the city where hospitality demands are largely driven by corporate clientele.

Located in Olaya, it provides easy access to top business and entertainment establishments as well as landmarks such as Kingdom Centre, which boasts the most luxurious brands in Saudi Arabia.

With 95 fully furnished luxury serviced residences, Fraser Suites Riyadh features a range of accommodation options from studio apartments to two-bedroom penthouse suites.

In a nod to holistic wellness, guests also have the convenience of a massage facility, an Olympic-size rooftop swimming pool, a 24-hour fully equipped gym, a library lounge and healthy eating options at two dining concepts.