By Jared Mitovich

Hilton hasn't changed its plans to open more than 100 new hotels in the Middle East, even as local investors reel from the effects of the war with Iran, the hotel operator's chief executive said today.

"We're still signing deals for new development as this is going on," Chris Nassetta said at the Semafor World Economy conference in Washington, adding: "The Middle East will be fine."

-- Hilton is particularly bullish on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and sees an opportunity to help those countries diversify their economies away from oil.

-- Still, Nassetta said that the growth of tourism in the region might not resume until the region is calmer and Iran is in a "different state," adding: "People don't like going places where things are exploding and people are dying."

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 14, 2026 10:05 ET (14:05 GMT)

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