The leading hospitality industry meeting in Saudi Arabia, Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia will be held in Riyadh from April 14-16, 2025.

According to a press statement, the organisers of FHS Saudi Arabia took this decision at a board meeting in Riyadh earlier this week. The statement adds that the 2024 edition of the leading hospitality industry gathering in Saudi Arabia and the GCC saw a record attendance with the participation of over 1,400 business leaders from across the GCC and other countries and who generated USD 1.1 billion in business opportunities at the summit.

The statement adds that the next edition in 2025 will be held under the theme Where Vision Shapes Opportunity, and FHS Saudi Arabia will unite hospitality leaders and decision-makers to discuss hotel performance and development, the outlook for hospitality investment in the Kingdom and the key market trends driving the sector, aiming for actionable outcomes that will transform the industry, which continues to witness unprecedented growth.

The organisers say that according to data from Knight Frank, total GDP contribution by Saudi Tourism will reach SAR 498 billion (USD 133 billion), set to further increase to SAR 836 billion or 15.6 pc of the national GDP by 2034. The travel and tourism industry is poised to contribute 2.67 million jobs by the end of the year, set to increase to 3.63 million jobs by 2034, adds the statement.

Jonathan Worsley

The statement adds that the total value of real estate and infrastructure projects unveiled in Saudi Arabia is USD 1.3 trillion. There are currently 1,048,000 residential units under planning and development stage with 362,000 hotel keys under development.

“Yesterday’s Advisory Board meeting in Riyadh was a resounding success and we were privileged to have some of the sharpest minds in the industry in the room together to help steer next year’s conference programme. We are also thrilled to announce the launch of the Education Investment Forum, co-located with FHS Saudi Arabia, a brand new, first-of-its-kind event that will look at the key challenges and opportunities when it comes to the value of investment in hospitality education to develop the next generation of hospitality leaders. Amongst others, we will explore the development of career pathways in luxury and high-end hospitality and integrating design into hospitality education,” says Jonathan Worsley, Chairman, the Bench.

Khalid Saud Abu Haimed

The statement adds that launched in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s G20 Secretariat in 2020, Future Hospitality Summit has tripled its attendance numbers since 2022.

“We are delighted to welcome back what has become one of the most anticipated industry events in the region to our home here in Riyadh. We look forward to continue our partnership with the Bench again as ‘Host Sponsors’ of FHS Saudi Arabia and welcoming the hospitality investment community back,” says Khalid Saud Abu Haimed, Chief Executive Officer, Al Khozama Investment.