Radisson Hotel Group is accelerating its growth in the Middle East with a strategic expansion of its development team and the promotion of Elie Milky to Chief Development Officer for the Middle East, Cyprus, and Greece. This move underscores the Group’s commitment to doubling its regional portfolio to over 150 hotels and 50,000 keys in operation and under development by 2030. Milky, who recently marked 15 years with Radisson, has been instrumental in securing many of the Group’s high-profile deals across Saudi Arabia and the broader Gulf region, helping establish the Middle East as one of its fastest-growing markets.
Under Milky’s leadership, Radisson is scaling up its Development and Feasibility teams by bringing in specialized analysts and project managers to strengthen deal sourcing, underwriting, and technical support. Based in Dubai, the team regularly travels to Riyadh, Cairo, and other key cities to provide on-the-ground assistance to owners as tourism investments across the region gain momentum. A vital addition to this team is Ayman Ezzeddine, who joined Radisson in early 2024 as Director of Development for the Middle East, with a focus on Egypt and Saudi Arabia. In just 18 months, Ezzeddine has played a central role in deal structuring, market analysis, and relationship-building, contributing to several signed agreements and a strong pipeline, further supporting Radisson’s owner-centric approach.
Reflecting on his new role, Milky stated, “The region is moving at record speed. With Ayman’s efforts and our expanded development and feasibility bench, we’re ready to deliver high-quality hotels, resorts, and serviced apartments that create jobs, diversify economies, and meet investor expectations across every segment.”
Over the past year, Radisson has significantly grown its footprint in the Middle East. Two new Park Inn by Radisson hotels in Makkah—Thakher Alsharqi and Thakher Algharbi—have reinforced the brand’s presence in the holy city, alongside new openings in Riyadh and Madinah. In November 2024, Radisson introduced the Park Inn by Radisson Hotel & Apartments in Kuwait, marking the brand’s second property in the country. Looking ahead, the Radisson Collection Residence Riyadh is slated to open in Q4 2025, becoming the third Radisson Collection address in the Saudi capital. Recent signings have further expanded the Group’s pipeline with the Radisson Collection Residence Amman Abdoun and Radisson RED Amman Downtown set to introduce both brands to Jordan. Additional Radisson RED properties are planned for Diriyah in Saudi Arabia and Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE. With nearly 100 hotels now in operation or development, Radisson remains firmly on track to reach its 2030 target of over 150 properties and 50,000 keys across the region.
