FHS Saudi Arabia 2025 will feature an action packed agenda that features a plethora of presentations, panel discussion and workshops on investing in the country’s hospitality sector
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is poised to see an addition of 362,000 new hotel rooms by 2030 as part of its USD 110 billion hospitality sector transformation, according to data released ahead of the 2025 edition of the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Saudi Arabia.
In a press statement, the organisers say that Saudi Arabia’s ongoing and unprecedented expansion across infrastructure, real estate, tourism and hospitality, in line with Vision 2030, is positioning the Kingdom as a global leader in the travel and tourism sector.
Oussama El Kadiri
This strategic growth is setting new industry standards while creating significant investment opportunities, enabling investors to actively participate in the country’s long-term economic transformation, according to industry experts, adds the statement, citing the report by Knight Frank, a real etate consultancy.
“Fuelled by ambitious Vision 2030 goals, Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector presents a compelling investment landscape, evidenced by its record-breaking contribution of SAR 444.3 billion (USD xx billion) to Saudi GDP in 2023, accounting for 11.5 pc of the national economy. This growth reflects the Kingdom’s strategic initiative to position itself as a leading global tourism destination,’’ says Oussama El Kadiri, Partner, Head of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, Knight Frank.
The sector’s rapid growth is further evidenced by the increase in international arrivals, which reached 30 million in 2024, up from 27.4 million in 2023. This upward trajectory, coupled with a strong investment pipeline, supports Saudi Arabia’s goal of attracting 70 million international visitors annually by 2030.
According to the statement, El Kadiri further emphasised the impact of upcoming global events on Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation. Major international events, such as the 2029 Asian Winter Games, World Expo 2030, and the FIFA World Cup 2034, are expected to drive further growth in tourism, hospitality, and related industries. These events will not only increase visitor numbers but also enhance Saudi Arabia’s global reputation as a premier destination for leisure, business, and mega-events.
Philip Wooller
The statement adds that leading hospitality data and analytics provider STR reports that Saudi Arabia’s hotel room revenue reached an impressive USD 5.6 billion between January and October 2024, up 3.5 pc on 2023 and 26.5 pc higher than in 2019. Key regions including Riyadh and Medina witnessed significant growth in both occupancy and ADR performance in 2024, with upward trajectory set to continue this year and beyond. In Riyadh, ADR was up 16 pc on 2023, with a 5 pc increase in Medina.
“Saudi Arabia is undoubtedly one of the most exciting destinations in the world, undergoing a remarkable transformation into a world-class tourism hub. The key to sustaining this momentum lies in balancing the influx of new hotel developments with a competitive market edge. While we anticipate tremendous success driven by strong demand generators, STR also forecasts a slight softening in rates as new hotel supply enters the market in the short term. This adjustment will be crucial in attracting fresh demand and ensuring healthy occupancy levels across the Kingdom,” says Philip Wooller, Senior Director, Middle East & Africa, STR.
The statement adds that FHS Saudi Arabia 2025 will feature an action packed agenda that features a plethora of presentations, panel discussion and workshops on investing in the country’s hospitality sector, for seasoned investors and first timers.
Organised by the Bench, FHS Saudi Arabia returns to Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah in Riyadh from May 11-13, uniting hospitality industry leaders and decision makers who are not only playing a key role in sector’s success today, but are highly influential in shaping Saudi Arabia’s future hospitality landscape. Centred around the theme Where Vision Shapes Opportunity, this year’s event is expected to surpass the 2024 edition, which saw participation by 1,400 delegates and created USD 1.1 billion worth of business opportunities, in terms of attendance and business openings.
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