IHG's Elie Maalouf Urges Saudi Arabia to Double Hotel Capacity for Religious Tourists
A top official from IHG Hotels and Resorts, Elie Maalouf, has recommended that Saudi Arabia increase its hotel room capacity by at least double in the next 10 years to cater to the rising number of religious tourists.
The current capacity is insufficient to meet the demand as Saudi Arabia transforms into a global tourism destination.
IHG is planning to open two new hotels, Regent and Intercontinental, in the King Abdullah Financial District, which are expected to begin operations in 2027.
Maalouf announced that IHG is developing two luxurious hotels in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in partnership with KAFD.
The first, Regent Riyadh KAFD, will be IHG's inaugural Regent property in the city and is expected to have 250 keys, along with signature restaurants, specialty restaurants, a tea lounge, cafes, a fitness facility, and a spa.
The second hotel, InterContinental Riyadh KAFD, will have 400 keys, five food and beverage outlets, conferencing facilities, a fitness center, spa, swimming pool, and an indoor recreation area.
IHG aims to cater to both upper-luxury and middle-class markets and is building hotels in Saudi Arabia's giga-projects and megacities.
IHG, led by Maalouf, is expanding its hotel presence in Saudi Arabia's giga- and megacities, including NEOM, Diriyah, Red Sea, AlUla, and existing urban areas.
The offerings range from luxury and lifestyle to affordable options like Holiday Inn Express.
IHG has been in Saudi Arabia for 50 years and currently operates over 40 hotels, with nearly 40 more under development.
IHG, led by Maalouf, aims to increase local employment in their Saudi Arabian hotels, currently at 46% and targeting 50% Saudization.
They have established strong relationships with the government and local partners, and plan to hire an additional 6,000 Saudi nationals by 2030.
IHG believes in contributing to Saudi Arabia's economic growth and job creation while aligning with the country's Saudization efforts to make it a top global tourist destination.
A spokesperson for IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) discussed the growth potential of Saudi Arabia's tourism sector.
Factors contributing to this growth include the country's economic diversification, increasing GDP, and a large young population.
The spokesperson emphasized the need for marketing Saudi Arabia's unique destinations, such as cooler summer temperatures and beautiful beaches, to attract tourists.
IHG announced the upcoming opening of its first Regent property in Riyadh, a 250-key hotel offering dining options, a fitness facility, and a spa.
The CEO of IHG Hotels and Resorts, Maalouf, predicts that Saudi Arabia's economic diversification, growing GDP, and young population will lead to significant growth in the tourism sector.
This growth is contingent on the successful implementation of Vision 2030 plans.
Maalouf also noted a trend towards spending more time in public spaces, such as restaurants, cafes, wellness centers, and spas, rather than in hotel rooms.
Maalouf stated that consumers are seeking healthier food, better quality fitness, and wellness programs.
In response, their brands are being tailored to meet these demands by integrating wellness into all of their hotels and brands.
IHG is planning to open two new hotels, Regent and Intercontinental, in the King Abdullah Financial District, which are expected to begin operations in 2027.
Maalouf announced that IHG is developing two luxurious hotels in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in partnership with KAFD.
The first, Regent Riyadh KAFD, will be IHG's inaugural Regent property in the city and is expected to have 250 keys, along with signature restaurants, specialty restaurants, a tea lounge, cafes, a fitness facility, and a spa.
The second hotel, InterContinental Riyadh KAFD, will have 400 keys, five food and beverage outlets, conferencing facilities, a fitness center, spa, swimming pool, and an indoor recreation area.
IHG aims to cater to both upper-luxury and middle-class markets and is building hotels in Saudi Arabia's giga-projects and megacities.
IHG, led by Maalouf, is expanding its hotel presence in Saudi Arabia's giga- and megacities, including NEOM, Diriyah, Red Sea, AlUla, and existing urban areas.
The offerings range from luxury and lifestyle to affordable options like Holiday Inn Express.
IHG has been in Saudi Arabia for 50 years and currently operates over 40 hotels, with nearly 40 more under development.
IHG, led by Maalouf, aims to increase local employment in their Saudi Arabian hotels, currently at 46% and targeting 50% Saudization.
They have established strong relationships with the government and local partners, and plan to hire an additional 6,000 Saudi nationals by 2030.
IHG believes in contributing to Saudi Arabia's economic growth and job creation while aligning with the country's Saudization efforts to make it a top global tourist destination.
A spokesperson for IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) discussed the growth potential of Saudi Arabia's tourism sector.
Factors contributing to this growth include the country's economic diversification, increasing GDP, and a large young population.
The spokesperson emphasized the need for marketing Saudi Arabia's unique destinations, such as cooler summer temperatures and beautiful beaches, to attract tourists.
IHG announced the upcoming opening of its first Regent property in Riyadh, a 250-key hotel offering dining options, a fitness facility, and a spa.
The CEO of IHG Hotels and Resorts, Maalouf, predicts that Saudi Arabia's economic diversification, growing GDP, and young population will lead to significant growth in the tourism sector.
This growth is contingent on the successful implementation of Vision 2030 plans.
Maalouf also noted a trend towards spending more time in public spaces, such as restaurants, cafes, wellness centers, and spas, rather than in hotel rooms.
Maalouf stated that consumers are seeking healthier food, better quality fitness, and wellness programs.
In response, their brands are being tailored to meet these demands by integrating wellness into all of their hotels and brands.
Translation:
Translated by AI