The UK’s biggest and fastest growing hotel brand, Premier Inn, continues its international expansion plans as Premier Inn Hotels LLC signs a joint venture to introduce the budget hotel chain to Oman. The move comes after this year’s successful Premier Inn Hotel opening in Dubai.

Premier Inn Hotels LLC, which is planning to have 6,000 rooms across the Gulf by 2012, is a joint venture between Premier Inn and The Emirates Group, established to develop the Premier Inn brand across the Middle East. This new venture marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between His Excellency Abdul Alim Bin Mustahail Bin Naseeb Rakhyoot and Premier Inn Hotels LLC to develop the Premier Inn brand within the Sultanate of Oman.

Premier Inn Hotels LLC will introduce its high standard budget hotel model into the Oman hospitality market with plans for at least three sites to be opened in the country in 2010. Initial target areas will be Muscat, Sohar and Salalah.

Colin Elliot, Whitbread’s Chief Operating Officer, International said: “We are very excited by this opportunity to introduce and develop our unique offering of excellent accommodation and first class service at very low cost.

“In Dubai, Premier Inn Hotels LLC has set the benchmark in the value hotel sector by offering room rates from as low as £83 per room per night. Continuing this pricing strategy and forging strategic partnerships around the region lends further weight to Premier Inn’s commitment to be the dominant brand in the region’s budget hotel sector.”

Elliot continued; “The value for money we offer is unprecedented in this region. The Middle East is known for it’s high quality, yet highly-priced hotels. At Premier Inn we offer our guests a great product that won’t break the bank.”

The first Premier Inn Hotel in the region is located in Dubai Investments Park. The hotel features 308 modern and stylish rooms with a contemporary restaurant, bar and Costa Coffee outlet in addition to a rooftop swimming pool and whirlpool bath. Further Premier Inn developments are under construction at Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai International Airport and at the Capital Centre, Abu Dhabi.