Wyndham Has 41 New Hotels Coming | Wyndham Hotels MEA Pipeline | ATM 2026 | Mohamad Haj Hassan
In this interview with Travel And Tour World at ATM 2026, Mohamad Haj Hassan, Market Managing Director of Middle East and Africa (MEA) for Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, discusses the brand's regional expansion, its growing Saudi Arabia pipeline, and how mid-scale hotels stay resilient during periods of crisis. Key highlights: 1. Mohamad Haj Hassan describes day three at ATM 2026 as exceeding all expectations, citing high footfall and strong engagement across brands, OTAs, and countries. 2. He was recently promoted from Country Director in Saudi Arabia to leading the full MEA region. 3. His primary operational priorities are maintaining strong partner relationships, elevating service quality across properties, staying close to partners on commercial support, and ensuring team well-being and safety. 4. Wyndham currently operates 66 hotels across 14 countries in the Middle East and Africa, with 16-17 brands represented across the region. 5. The pipeline includes 41 properties expected to open over the next two to three years. 6. In Saudi Arabia specifically, Wyndham operates 12 hotels and recently opened its first Howard Johnson in Riyadh, the second Howard Johnson in the Kingdom. 7. Six more properties are in the Saudi pipeline, due to open next year and the year after. 8. Success at ATM 2026 means retaining the existing portfolio, improving the pipeline, and retaining the full team on the ground. 9. Despite regional conflict challenges, Wyndham has retained 100% of its portfolio so far this year while continuing to strengthen partner relationships. 10. Hassan expects a quick recovery toward the end of the year, citing the hospitality industry's resilience and adaptability. 11. His top priorities for 2026 are team safety and well-being first, followed by retaining 100% of the portfolio. 12. His closing message: mid-scale, asset-light operators tend to perform well during crises due to low, efficient operating costs and minimal exposure to losses and Wyndham's regional performance this year has stayed close to last year's, year-to-date. 13. His broader advice to the industry: focus on brands that dominate and genuinely support and contribute to partners commercially. About Travel And Tour World: Travel And Tour World is a global travel media platform covering travel, tourism, hospitality, aviation, MICE, cruise, and luxury travel, with readership across 195 countries. [Wyndham Hotels, ATM 2026 Dubai, Wyndham Saudi Arabia, Howard Johnson Riyadh, Wyndham Middle East Africa, Wyndham Hotels Resorts Middle East Africa MEA interview ATM 2026, Wyndham Saudi Arabia 12 operating hotels pipeline, Howard Johnson Riyadh second hotel Kingdom, Mohamad Haj Hassan Wyndham Managing Director interview, Wyndham 66 hotels 14 countries Middle East Africa, Mid-scale hotel resilience during crisis hospitality, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts MEA, Howard Johnson Riyadh Saudi Arabia, Mohamad Haj Hassan Wyndham, Wyndham Saudi Arabia pipeline, ATM Dubai 2026 hospitality outlook, Hotel pipeline growth Saudi Arabia 2026, Middle East Africa hotel expansion trend, Mid-scale hotel brand resilience trend, Hospitality recovery Middle East conflict impact] #saudiarabia #middleeast #TravelAndTourWorld #hospitality #wyndham #hotelindustry