Marriott International has announced its intention to expand its presence in the Saudi market, with nearly 40 hotels and more than 11,000 rooms in its development pipeline for Saudi Arabia. This expansion includes entry into new destinations like the Red Sea and NEOM, while also introducing new luxury brands to the market such as St. Regis, Edition, and Ritz-Carlton Reserve. The company’s plans also include expansion in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
Sandeep Walia, chief operating officer for the Middle East at Marriott International, said that as part of Marriott International’s commitment to being part of major development projects in Saudi Arabia, it is actively upskilling qualified Saudi national talents through its 12-month leadership development program, Tahseen, which is in partnership with Cornell University. This program is aimed at nurturing the next generation of hospitality leaders in Saudi Arabia, and since its inception more than 150 candidates have graduated from the Tahseen program and moved into roles within Marriott International’s properties.
Walia also reiterated Marriott’s support for achieving Vision 2030 goals and the Kingdom’s new vision for the travel sector, through the company’s current operations and its ambitious development plans.
Currently, the Kingdom represents 35 percent of hotel construction in the region, with over 40,000 hotels under development, driven by significant demand for luxury offerings, particularly within major developmental projects like the Red Sea Project, NEOM and Diriyah Gate.
The company will also debut its St. Regis and Edition hotel brands for the first time and introduce the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the Middle East with the opening of Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, in the Red Sea Project.
Marriott International also plans to add over 7,000 rooms across the holy cities. The company expects to open two Fairfield Inn hotels in Makkah, which will add nearly 4,000 keys; a 1,000-room Aloft in Makkah, which will be the brand’s largest property in the world; and two Courtyard by Marriott hotels, adding over 500 rooms in the two cities. In Madinah, the company recently signed a deal with Rua Al-Madinah for eight projects situated within the Rua Al-Madinah project. Plans also include a new Sheraton property that will offer more than 600 rooms in Madinah.
Walia highlighted Marriott International’s excellent range of accommodation options in Saudi Arabia, catering to various sectors, from upscale to luxury.
To further build loyalty within the Kingdom, Marriott International also introduced its first co-branded credit card in the Kingdom in collaboration with American Express. The credit card gives members the chance to earn Marriott Bonvoy points on their daily spend while giving them access to exclusive benefits, offers and experiences across the company’s portfolio in Saudi Arabia and across the globe.
