Kerten Hospitality is building momentum and leadership for 2026 | News
Kerten Hospitality entered 2026 with the signing of 1,000 new keys in January, building on one of the most successful years in its history to accelerate expansion in the Middle East, Africa and other fast-growing markets.
The hospitality management group ended 2025 on portfolio performance, with a 55% increase in operating revenues, a 69% increase in GOP and a 44% increase in management fees year-over-year, underscoring the continued demand from owners and investors for its differentiated lifestyle hospitality platform. The results were driven by a disciplined expansion strategy, greater geographic diversification and the continued optimization of the group’s assets.
In 2025, Kerten Hospitality expanded its operational footprint with major openings, including including Ray Hotel from Cloud 7 in Kuwait, Cloud 7 Hotel Rome And Colere 1600 by Cloud 7 Hotels in Italy, further consolidating its presence in the EMEA region. In addition, the Group signed several milestone projects, including The House Residence Azure Zanzibara villa and lifestyle residential project with 93 apartments with ocean views; Cloud 7 Al Murjan Island Resort – Dammama bold new addition to the waterfront of Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province; And Cloud 7 Hotel Dersa Tetuanwith which Kerten Hospitality entered the vibrant and fast-growing hospitality market of Morocco. The group maintained strong momentum and signed its second project in Morocco in January, Casadora Resort by Cloud 7 Hotelsa new resort and branded residence project in El Jadida, initiated and developed by Group Ramos.
The MENA region remains central to Kerten Hospitality’s growth strategy. Government-backed tourism agendas, infrastructure investments and rising demand for experiential and community-oriented hospitality concepts continue to create strong tailwinds for the Group’s lifestyle brands. Kerten Hospitality’s model is increasingly resonating with regional owners who are looking for flexible, design-oriented concepts, supported by robust operational and development expertise.
Looking ahead, the development pipeline reflects both entry into new markets and deeper consolidation in established markets. Expansion plans in Egypt, Italy, France and Morocco are currently being finalized, alongside additional assets being evaluated in the GCC, Mediterranean and Africa, setting the pace for an expected even stronger 2026.
In total, Kerten Hospitality expects six new openings in the first quarters of 2026, with additional conversion projects in the pipeline, laying the foundation for sustainable, diversified growth.
This accelerated development process is supported by a strengthened leadership structure. Kerten Horeca was appointed in 2025 Ramine Behnam as Chief Development Officer (CDO)after the previous promotion of Mina Anziani becomes Chief Operating Officer (COO). Together, these appointments strengthen the group’s ability to scale internationally, while maintaining its distinctive brand DNA.
In his role, Ramine Behnam leads the group’s global development strategy, accelerating the expansion of its lifestyle portfolio and strengthening strategic partnerships to support a rapidly growing pipeline. Meanwhile, Mina Anziani has played an important role in shaping the operational framework that allows Kerten Hospitality to grow without dilution. Since joining the company, she has built a system that balances structure with creative flexibility, becoming the architect of the group’s concept of “custom scalability,” which is now central to its operating model.
“I am very excited about the momentum we have built,” says Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality. “We are scaling faster than ever, entering new markets while delivering strong financial results. This is just the beginning and we have a highly capable team in place to support our ambitious growth agenda.”
With more than 55 accommodation projects in the pipeline across three continents and 12 lifestyle brands of its own, Kerten Hospitality enters 2026 with a stronger foundation, improved profitability and a strategy focused on key markets in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. The group continues its growth trajectory with the aim of strengthening its role in contemporary hospitality and developing destinations that combine innovation, local culture and responsible resource management.
