Rotana CEO Outlines 40-Hotel Pipeline and Potential for 5,000 Jobs

Rotana’s chief executive Philip Barnes says the UAE hotel group has about 40 properties in its development pipeline and could create roughly 5,000 jobs over the next five to six years as those hotels open. He discussed the plans in an interview published on 14 September 2026.

The pipeline includes projects in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Somalia and Georgia. Barnes said about a quarter of the proposed properties are in Saudi Arabia, and a Ras Al Khaimah hotel is expected to open in the coming weeks. Rotana’s own development site also lists 40 new hotel ventures in development.

The 5,000 figure is an estimate tied to future openings, and Barnes cautioned that hotel pipelines can change. It should not be read as 5,000 vacancies available now. Job seekers can follow Rotana’s official careers channels for confirmed roles as individual properties move toward opening.

Sources: Khaleej Times’ interview and Rotana’s development site.