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Jeddah - Yasmine El Tohamy - RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector is growing by leaps and bounds with key global players entering the scene due to the business-friendly policies of the Kingdom announced as part of its economic diversification efforts.

Hospitality giant Hilton has announced plans to develop two hotels in Jeddah and Abha. According to a press statement, Hampton by Hilton Al Nuzhah in Jeddah will be developed in partnership with Al Manar United for Trading. Scheduled for opening in 2026, the hotel will feature 80 rooms.

The Hilton Garden Inn located in Abha is expected to open in 2027, it said.

The Abha hotel, also developed in partnership with Al Manar United for Trading will have 200 rooms, a lounge, a dining area, and a rooftop, as well as a gym and an outdoor pool.

Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the Future Hospitality Summit in Riyadh on Monday, Guy Hutchinson, president of Hilton in the Middle East and Africa region, said that the company plans to more than quadruple its Saudi footprint and open more than 60 hotels, with plans to exceed 100 properties in the coming years. 

“As Saudi Arabia sets its target to increase hotel rooms to 550,000 by 2030, our pipeline of hotels will add more than 17,000 rooms in the coming years and we will introduce new brands to emerging and established destinations in Saudi Arabia,” said Hutchinson. 

He added: “From focused service and branded residences to lifestyle and luxury, two-thirds of our pipeline is currently under construction and we remain committed to diversifying our portfolio to cater to diverse traveler needs.” 

In partnership with master developer Knowledge Economic City, Hilton also signed an agreement for Hilton Residences Madinah Knowledge Economic City adjacent to Hilton Madinah Knowledge Economic City which is currently under construction.

The project in Madinah — set to open in 2026 — is expected to feature 64 two, three, and four-bedroom apartments. 

“We are delighted to be working with master developer Knowledge Economic City to grow our footprint in Madinah. Knowledge Economic City is a very important project, playing a significant role in growing the city’s supply of modern and lifestyle destinations,” said Hutchinson. 

He added: “We currently have Hilton Madinah Knowledge Economic City under construction, and the branded residences will provide guests with various choices of apartments and access to the hotel’s wide range of amenities, further contributing to destination accommodation offering.” 

The press statement also added that Hilton Riyadh Olaya is expected to open its doors to guests in the coming months. 

Carlos Khneisser, vice president, of development, Middle East and Africa at Hilton, said these new agreements will help meet the rising demand from travelers to Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom targets 150 million visitors by 2030. 

“Saudi Arabia’s tourism landscape continues to evolve rapidly, presenting significant growth opportunities for Hilton and our valued partners. Two-thirds of our Saudi pipeline is currently under construction and we are working closely with investors to expand into new destinations with more of our brands,” said Khneisser. 

During the talk, Hutchinson said that Hilton is committed to creating 15,000 jobs in the Kingdom by 2030, with more than half of the recruits being local talents. 

“Our pipeline of hotels will create 15,000 job opportunities, with more than half of these recruits anticipated to be Saudi nationals. Over the past two years, Hilton’s portfolio of hotels across Saudi Arabia have welcomed more than 250 trainees through their doors, of which more than 200 are women,” added Hutchinson.