RIYADH: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, a US-based hospitality group, has announced plans to introduce its Super 8 brand in Saudi Arabia, with an ambitious target of launching approximately 100 properties across the Kingdom over the next 10 years.

The announcement came during the Future Hospitality Summit in Riyadh, where Dimitris Manikis, president of Wyndham for Europe, the Middle East, Eurasia, and Africa, confirmed the initiative and signed the initial partnership agreement to bring Super 8 to the Saudi market.

“It’s a premium economy brand... one of the leading brands in the United States, Central Europe, and China. We finally brought it to Saudi Arabia,” Manikis told Arab News.

The expansion will be executed in partnership with Le Park Concord Co., a Saudi-based hotel operator that currently manages 13 properties with more than 900 rooms and has 13 additional hotels in its development pipeline, according to a press release.

The initiative is being supported by the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, reflecting the Kingdom’s broader strategy to diversify its tourism offerings and expand hospitality infrastructure in line with Vision 2030 goals.

Super 8 hotels will be strategically developed in major Saudi cities as well as secondary and tertiary urban centers. Target locations include areas near airports, highways, and newly emerging development zones. While the timeline remains flexible due to early-stage project planning, the first property is expected to open within the year.

“They are prefabricated, so they are easy to build. In six months, you can have a hotel in your location, which is amazing,” Manikis said, highlighting the brand’s scalability and efficient construction model.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Super 8 has a strong international footprint, particularly in the US and China, where it operates hundreds of properties.

Wyndham currently operates 14 hotels in Saudi Arabia, primarily under the Ramada brand. The company aims to diversify its portfolio in the Kingdom by introducing additional midscale, upper-midscale, and lifestyle brands to better serve a range of traveler preferences.

The rollout of Super 8 aligns with Saudi Arabia’s efforts to expand hotel capacity and provide affordable lodging options as it gears up to host a series of major international events.

Manikis also emphasized the importance of cultural and environmental sensitivity in the expansion, noting the company’s commitment to aligning with the Kingdom’s heritage and sustainability values.

Education and workforce development are key pillars of Wyndham’s strategy in the region. The executive described education as a critical component both for hotel owners and the people who work there.

He also underscored the company’s commitment to sustainability through the Wyndham Green Program, a five-tier certification framework that focuses on conservation and resource management. All Wyndham properties in the Kingdom currently operate under these sustainability guidelines.

With Saudi Arabia positioning itself as a global destination for expos, sports tournaments, and other international gatherings, Manikis reaffirmed Wyndham’s long-term vision for the market.

He said the company is committed to supporting the Kingdom’s tourism transformation while ensuring environmental responsibility and sustainable growth.

LONDON: Gulf equities ended higher on Monday as the US and China agreed to temporarily slash harsh reciprocal tariffs while US President Donald Trump’s planned visit to Saudi Arabia and Gulf states on Tuesday also raised investor sentiment.

The US will cut extra tariffs it imposed on Chinese imports in April to 30 percent from 145 percent and Chinese duties on US imports will fall to 10 percent from 125 percent, the two countries said on Monday following talks in Geneva. The new measures are effective for 90 days.

Saudi Arabia’s benchmark stock index rose 1.3 percent, the sharpest rise in a month with almost all sectors in the green.

Saudi Aramco gained 2.2 percent after the world’s top oil exporter reported a net profit of SR97.54 billion ($26.01 billion) in the first quarter on Sunday, beating a company-provided median estimate from 16 analysts of $25.36 billion.

Among other gainers, National Industrialization Co. rose 1.1 percent after the petrochemical company posted a quarterly net profit compared to a net loss a year earlier.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and the US are set to discuss a number of blockbuster economic deals during Trump’s visit on Tuesday, with the US poised to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth well over $100 billion, sources have told Reuters.

The Qatari benchmark index continued its three-session winning streak and rose 0.7 percent, with most stocks posting gains.

Qatar National Bank, the region’s largest lender, gained 2 percent and Qatar Electricity and Water climbed 4 percent, its biggest rise in more than a year.

Qatar’s main electricity and desalinated water supplier, QEWC said on Monday that Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation ‘Kahramaa’ has signed a strategic agreement with QEWC, QatarEnergy, and Sumitomo Corporation to build the Ras Abu Fontas Independent Water and Power Facility at a cost of 13.5 billion Qatari riyals ($3.71 billion).

Dubai’s benchmark stock index was up 0.4 percent, helped by a 7.3 percent rise in Parkin and a 2.8 percent gain in Talabat Holding.

The online food ordering company Talabat reported a first-quarter net profit of $103.3 million. The Abu Dhabi benchmark index edged up 0.1 percent with Aldar Properties gaining 1 percent and Fertiglobe rising 2.2 percent.

The fertilizer producer has signed an asset sale and purchase agreement to acquire the distribution assets of Wengfu Australia Pty Ltd.

Outside the Gulf, Egypt’s blue-chip index advanced 0.5 percent after three consecutive sessions of losses. Commercial International Bank rose 1.1 percent and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Egypt climbed 3.6 percent.

The lender reported a 43 percent rise in first quarter net profit.