Palma de Mallorca, 6 June 2013 - Meliá Hotels International, one of the largest hotel companies worldwide, recently announced in its quarterly report a continued and intense commitment to grow at a rate of around one hotel every 3 weeks, both in consolidated markets and particularly in emerging markets.  In 2013 the company has opened new markets in Latin America, Europe and the Middle East, with hotels such as the Gran Meliá Riyadh in Saudi Arabia announced today, which is already under construction and will open in 24 months time.

The Founder and Chairman of Meliá Hotels International, Gabriel Escarrer, made this announcement at the Group’s Annual Shareholders Meeting today in Palma de Mallorca (Spain), highlighting the growth strategy of a company which now operates in 39 countries. The Chairman specifically emphasized the success of the recently opened Paradisus Resorts in Playa del Carmen (Mexico) and the ME London hotel in the heart of London, as well as the Gran Meliá Rome, as examples of the Company’s international positioning in the luxury segment, in which the new Gran Meliá Riyadh will add another milestone.

The new Gran Meliá Riyadh will be housed in a very modern glass building in a privileged urban location in the so-called Cairo Square in the heart of the Saudi capital. The building dominates the parks that give the city its name (“place of gardens and trees”) and is surrounded by shopping centres and government ministries and offices.

The hotel will initially provide 252 rooms, several restaurants, a Spa and Wellness centre, and a convention centre measuring approximately 2,500 m2. Meliá will take an active role in the final design through a technical assistance agreement reached with the owner, thus allowing the company to ensure compliance with the high standards demanded by the luxury Gran Meliá brand, already home to such important city hotels as the Gran Meliá Rome Villa Agrippina and the Gran Meliá Fénix in Madrid, or unique resorts such as the Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora in Tenerife or the Gran Meliá Puerto Rico, amongst others.

For Gabriel Escarrer, who personally attended the announcement event in Riyadh, “Saudi Arabia is a fantastic location for the luxury hotel industry, and our Gran Meliá brand will exceed the expectations of discerning, contemporary Arab business and leisure travellers thanks to its powerful service culture based around the Red Glove Service, a fusion of the globally recognised Red Carpet and White Glove service concepts.

“After the success - continues Escarrer- of a project such as the Gran Meliá Rome, the Gran Meliá Riyadh is another sign of our firm commitment to consolidate the Gran Meliá brand internationally and to further enhance our presence in a market in which we began in 2012 with the opening of the Meliá Dubai, and we would like to thank the hotel owners very much for their confidence in us. It is a huge honour for us to sign our 1st hotel in Saudi Arabia with Al Ajlan Group, a family Company with a long and impeccable track record, like Meliá Hotels International, and I’m sure we shall achieve a very fruitful cooperation and synergies by combining their wide experience in the market with our know-how in the International hospitality industry”.

Regarding the 2012 financial results and the general performance of the Company, Gabriel Escarrer explained to the Company’s shareholders that the better competitive evolution of Meliá (RevPAR – Revenue per Average Room- increased by 7.9%) is largely due to 5  key management factors:

• The Company’s globalization strategy, with hotels in 39 countries so far and 95% of the current pipeline outside Spain, where the crisis still persists
• A two-track approach that has allow the Group to keep growing at a steady pace in the most dynamic markets whilst following a strict contingency plan in Spain and weaker markets.
• A combination of brand strength and positioning, unique hotels, and a sales strategy that has enabled sustained RevPAR growth of 7.9% in 2012, almost entirely through price improvements.
• Market confidence in the Meliá Business model, shown in the increase in the share value in 2012, the successful recent bond issue, and the fruitful relationship with investors and owners from around the world.
• The talent management, corporate social responsibility and sustainability that drive a Company with strong values, a high degree of motivation and the creation of a valuable pool of talent to support the international growth of the Company.

Escarrer concluded by assuring shareholders that Meliá Hotels International is facing the coming years from a strong position at the corporate level, and that the Group will continue to grow and become more and more global. The Chairman showed his satisfaction for joining a market with the potential of Saudi Arabia, because, as he said: “our vocation as hoteliers leads us to diversify and be present wherever the business is and wherever our customers are”.

About Meliá Hotels International
Meliá Hotels International was founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca (Spain) and is one of the world’s largest resort hotel chains, as well as Spain’s leading hotel chain. It currently operates and distributes more than 350 hotels and 90,000 rooms in 39 countries on 4 continents under its brands: Gran Meliá, Meliá, ME, Innside, Tryp by Wyndham, Sol and Paradisus. Its product and service portfolio is complemented by Club Meliá, the only vacation club operated by a Spanish company.

About Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts
Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts reflects the prestigious history of Meliá Hotels International and is home to the most luxurious hotels in the company such as Gran Meliá Fenix (Madrid), Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora (Canary Islands) and Gran Meliá Rome Villa Agrippina. Underpinning the brand is a commitment to first class hotels and resorts with stunning architecture designed to surpass the needs of travellers. All properties are located in the most important global travel destinations. www.granmelia.com