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Hospitality Net
a day ago
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Stellar Speaker Line Up and Sessions Unveiled for Branded Residences Forum Asia 2025
The Branded Residences Forum Asia 2025, set to take place on 25 June at The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Bangkok, has unveiled its programme for what will be an action-packed day of strategic networking, high-level discussions, and exclusive market insights to help shape the future of this dynamic sector in the hospitality industry. The event, organised by The Bench in collaboration with C9 Hotelworks in response to the unprecedented growth in branded residences, will bring together the world's most influential hospitality brands, real estate developers, investors, and industry experts. After the overwhelming success of the inaugural Branded Residences Forum launched during FHS World in Dubai last year, and now an annual event in its own right, we are very excited for this booming sector to take centre stage in Thailand with the first edition of the Branded Residences Forum Asia. We look forward to providing a platform for leaders in this sector to come together to explore new opportunities, forge meaningful partnerships and shape the future of branded residences. Jonathan Worsley, Chairman & CEO of The Bench The day will kick off with 'A Founder's Perspective on the Evolution of Branded Residences' with insights from Ho Kwon Ping, Founder and Executive Chairman, Banyan Group, in conversation with David Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Delivering Asia, discussing growth, challenges, and the future of the industry. Jeff Tisdall, Chief Business Officer, Accor OneLiving, will deliver a TenX Leadership Talk on the state of the industry, which is followed by the 'Global Branded Residences Market Update' with Bill Barnett, Managing Director, C9 Hotelworks, and Riyan Itani, Founder & Director, Global Branded Residences. Asia Pacific's branded residence sector is coming of age. It's an exciting and vibrant time for the industry, though each country has it's own storyline and dynamics. This event will be an opportunity to put the pieces together as the surge in branded residences are maturing in it's own real estate asset class. Bill Barnett, Managing Director, C9 Hotelworks The programme continues with a series of panel discussions covering the industry's hottest topics. These include a session on hospitality groups' branded residences strategies featuring speakers from some of the world's leading brands including IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Four Seasons and Rosewood Hotel Group; the role of design in elevating branded residences; financial and legal frameworks behind contracting for branded residences; creating loyalty beyond stay, as well as a look beyond hospitality with a panel discussion on how fashion, food and automotive brands are shaping branded residences. In addition, Richard Stevens, Group CEO, Sectorlight, will be moderating the session titled 'Selling Branded Residences – Cognitive Marketing and the Power of Brand Essence' in conversation with Lindsay McGinn, Global Vice President Residential Marketing, Accor, and Jenny Naylor, Managing Director Advisory, Brand Atlas . With global demand at an all-time high and Asia emerging as the fastest-growing market, the programme will have a spotlight on regional markets including Vietnam, moderated by Catherine Edwards, Chief Growth Officer, QUO with representatives from Savills Hotels Asia Pacific, Indochina Capital Corporation and The Ascott Limited, and Japan, moderated by Eric Levy, Managing Director, Tourism Solutions International with panelists from GOYOH, C9 Hotelworks, and List Development Co. In additon, Omar Romero, Chief Development & Luxury Officer, Minor Hotel Group Limited, and Riyan Itani, Director & Founder, Global Branded Residences, will have a conversation about what luxury means in Asia from a branded residences perspective. The event will conclude with a VIP networking reception at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, hosted by Minor Hotels. For more information and to register, please visit About The Bench The Bench has built a legacy as a global curator of opportunity, designing transformative forums and summits that empower the hospitality and travel industries to connect, innovate, and thrive. With over two decades of expertise, The Bench creates platforms that go beyond transactions to inspire collaboration and drive meaningful change. Each event brings together government leaders, tourism ministries, global travel associations, leading hospitality brands, hotel owners and investors, airlines, destination developers, and more. From flagship gatherings like FHS World (formerly AHIC) and FHS Saudi Arabia, to FHS Africa (formerly AHIF) and AviaDev, The Bench creates events where ideas spark, relationships deepen, and investments take flight. The Bench thrives on fostering dynamic and forward-looking dialogues, uniting industry pioneers to address challenges, seize opportunities, and co-create the future. Each event is crafted to deliver more than just connections - it's about transforming ideas into action and building a better tomorrow. Anne Bleeker In2 Consulting +971 56 603 0886 The Bench
Syyaha
05-05-2025
- Business
- Syyaha
FHS Saudi Arabia Pre-event Feature – The NextGen Investment Forum
By Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench, organiser of FHS Saudi Arabia. May 5th 2025: A brand new feature at Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia, the NextGen Investment Forum aims to inspire top leaders to come together and tackle the most pressing questions surrounding education, training, and talent retention in Saudi Arabia's hospitality industry. With 1 million new tourism jobs predicted by 2030, the Kingdom's hospitality sector is facing some critical challenges. First, notable skill gaps are evident in specialised areas like hospitality management, digital competencies, and vocational training in tourism. Second, only 8.1% employed in the Saudi tourism industry are women, and third, Saudi Arabia's youth unemployment rate remains around 16%, with limited vocational pathways in hospitality for young Saudis. With FHS Saudi Arabia just around the corner, I asked leaders from Amsa Hospitality, Baraka Real Estate Investment & Development, Riyadh School of Tourism & Hospitality, Red Sea Global and Dr. Abeer Atallah Alamri, Skills Development and Talent Optimization Expert for their insights into the challenges, purpose and approach behind investing in the next generation of hoteliers. How important is investment in hospitality education to develop the next generation of leaders? What challenges does the industry have to overcome to develop meaningful strategies and programmes in this regard? According to Dr. Abeer Atallah Alamri, investment in hospitality education is crucial for cultivating future leaders by equipping them with essential skills, knowledge, and a professional mindset. Challenges include bridging the gap between academic curricula and real-world industry needs, attracting students amidst perceptions of long hours and lower pay, and securing adequate funding for quality programmes and resources. Dr. Fabien Fresnel, CEO at The Riyadh School of Tourism and Hospitality said, 'There is no tourism strategy if there is no talent capability building strategy. Building programmes is not the issue. Making the industry aspirational is one: attracting. Delivering the proper training in the proper format and leveraging technology with relevant content: educating. Making sure the industry is providing career perspectives and sustaining the training and development effort throughout: retaining. Attracting, relevant training, retaining = tri-dimensional equation.' Layla Alamri, Senior Manager – Education at Red Sea Global added, 'As the hospitality sector experiences rapid growth in Saudi Arabia, a key challenge is building a strong pipeline of talent. To address this, we have launched a series of training initiatives to empower young Saudis with the skills they need to thrive, with many graduates securing employment with the company. This includes educational, vocational and on-the-job training, with 1,995 students benefitting since 2019. Industry leaders sometimes struggle to pinpoint the real barriers to attracting and retaining next-generation talent. Ebrahim Al Qassab, Projects Director at Baraka Real Estate Investment & Development believes that the struggle comes from viewing talent attraction as a recruitment issue rather than a cultural one. 'Many leaders focus on incentives but miss the deeper emotional and intellectual needs of today's generation. Young professionals aren't just looking for jobs – they're seeking purpose, ownership, and alignment with values. At Baraka, we redefined this challenge by embedding one of our core pillars: catering for the dreamers. We actively try to inject this spirit into Baraka's DNA by involving talent in shaping our workspaces and communities. When people see their identity and aspirations reflected in the environments they help create, they stay not out of obligation, but out of passion.' How can the industry attract – and retain – the talent that is needed to turn Vision 2030 into a reality? 'Attracting and retaining talent for Vision 2030 requires the industry to offer competitive compensation and benefits, foster a positive work culture with opportunities for growth and development, and promote the sector as a dynamic and rewarding career path. Highlighting the industry's contribution to national goals and offering specialised training programmes are also vital,' said Dr. Abeer Atallah Alamri. Layla Alamri added, 'Attracting and retaining talent requires more than just competitive salaries. Employees need to feel a sense of ownership and purpose. In our case, this means ensuring that our employees are aware of the importance of their work to the future of the Kingdom, diversifying the economy and putting it firmly on the global tourism map.' Dr. Fabien Fresnel believes that the industry has a critical role to play. 'It needs to trigger aspirations, deliver the proper messaging, manage youngster's expectations, and offer an entrepreneurial mindset in a corporate environment.' He went on to say, 'I think Saudi Arabia has the intelligence, the expertise and the financial means to implement a nationwide educational strategy to meet the Kingdom's goals. It goes with building capabilities, and this can be done fast, delivering programmes and training efficiently. I don't see any roadblocks to do that if there is willingness and fire power.' Will strategic partnerships between private academies, government entities, and universities transform human capital development in Saudi Arabia's tourism and hospitality sectors? 'Since its launch, Amsa Hospitality Academy has signed agreements with some of the best universities and colleges across the Kingdom. One notable collaboration is with King Khalid University which allows recent graduates to enrich their academic learning with real-world practical experience. The first cohort is currently undertaking training at the brand-new Mercure Khamis Mushait and has experienced the dynamic operations of a hotel pre-opening phase. Other agreements include those with Princess Noura University and King Saud University. Moreover, we recently welcomed the Deputy Governor for Training Policies and Quality to our premises for an overview of ongoing training programmes that endow students with the required knowledge to pursue successful career paths,' said Muin Serhan, CEO at Amsa Hospitality. Layla Alamri added, 'Strategic partnerships are vital for knowledge-sharing and innovation. Our scholarship programmes with the University of Prince Mugrin and École hôtelière de Lausanne are designed to equip young Saudis with international hospitality management skills. Drawing on the universities' technical and educational expertise, we are preparing future leaders to contribute directly to Vision 2030.' What is your organisation doing in terms of education investment, particularly when it comes to developing Saudi citizens for roles in hospitality and tourism? Fresnel, said, 'The purpose of The Riyadh School of Tourism and Hospitality and its affiliates is to serve the country and the younger generations, help KSA pivot part of its economy towards tourism, deliver outstanding customer journeys to trigger repeat business, and overall ensure a bright future for millions of young Saudis whose pride will only be exacerbated as the industry grows.' Amsa Hospitality has its own vocational training academy, Amsa Hospitality Academy. 'We launched last year in collaboration with the globally recognised Luxury Hotelschool Paris. Our mission is to help aspiring Saudi hoteliers develop the skills needed to excel in the hospitality industry. The academy is open to everyone, not only prospective employees of properties managed by Amsa Hospitality, commented Muin Serhan. 'Investing in people is key to our regenerative tourism vision. Our Elite Graduate Program – now in its sixth edition – enrols Saudi graduates into a comprehensive system of placements and training programmes. We have also established a number of vocational education programmes to equip local talent with the skills to support the growing Saudi tourism sector. Our goal is to empower Saudi men and women, so they excel and drive Vision 2030 forward,' said Layla Alamri Meanwhile, Ebrahim Al Qassab commented, 'Industry leaders can create a culture where questioning traditional models of hospitality education and talent engagement is encouraged. Real innovation doesn't come from people who all think the same. It comes from open, honest conversations, especially between generations. I've learned to not just include young voices, but to let them help shape the way forward. Leaders need to welcome new ideas, encourage diverse skills, and mix different fields together. At Baraka, we often bring creatives, educators, and developers into one room and that's where fresh, relevant ideas are born. Challenging the system isn't about breaking it, it's how we grow and improve it.' FHS Saudi Arabia takes place 11-13 May 2025 at Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh. On the agenda of the first day of the summit, the NextGen Investment Forum aims to address the challenges of future hoteliers on several fronts by building a community of educators and industry experts, creating pathways to career growth, bridging the skills gap, empowering Saudi nationals, and fostering public-private collaboration.
Trade Arabia
24-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
FHS Saudi Arabia unveils programme, participants
The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Saudi Arabia has unveiled an action packed agenda, key participants and new event features for the 2025 summit, taking place at the Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah in Riyadh, 11-13 May. Featuring everything from start-ups to staffing and innovation to investment, the FHS Saudi Arabia programme will address key challenges, opportunities and trends in hospitality and tourism, with leaders from government entities, hospitality companies, investment firms, developers and the education sector on the long and distinguished speaker list. Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench, organiser of FHS Saudi Arabia, said: 'With FHS Saudi Arabia just a few short weeks away, our power-packed 2025 agenda is shaping up to be our most ambitious yet with over 130 speakers confirmed. Expect in-depth discussions, strong debate and deep insight from some of the Middle East's most respected, talented and experienced leaders; a wealth of topics and a host of special events, awards and features that celebrate Saudi's hospitality sector of today – and shape the industry of tomorrow.' Speakers FHS Saudi Arabia reveals its list of top 20 speakers for 2025: Prince Bandar Bin Saud Bin Khalid Al Saud, Secretary General of King Faisal Foundation (KFF) and Chairman of Al Khozama Investment Company Sultan Bader Al-Otaibi, Chief Executive Officer, Taiba Investments Nick Candy, Chief Executive Officer, Candy Capital Marloes Knippenberg, Chief Executive Officer, Kerten Hospitality Muhammad Bassrawi, Chief Domestic Tourism Officer, Saudi Tourism Authority Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Global Chief Development Officer, Radisson Hotel Group Gregory Djerejian, Group Chief Legal Officer, Red Sea Global Serena Lim, Chief Growth Officer, The Ascott Limited Maud Bailly, Chief Executive Officer, Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems Steven Greenway, Chief Executive Officer, Flyadeal Khalid Saud Abu Haimed, Chief Executive Officer, Al Khozama Investment Company Shaikha Al Nowais, Corporate Vice President, Owner Relationship Management, Rotana Hossam Al-Basrawi, Chief Executive Officer, Alrajhi Capital Sean Hehir, President & CEO, Trinity Investments Amin Ismail, Managing Director, Certares Benoît-Etienne Domenget, Chief Executive Officer, Sommet Education Omar Romero, Chief Development and Luxury Officer, MINOR Hotels Michael Acton Smith, Co-founder, Calm Dr. Abeer Alamri, Skills Development and Talent Optimization Expert On the agenda The FHS Saudi Arabia agenda has dozens of sessions across more than 12 tracks over three days. Here is the organisers' day-by-day must-attend list: Sunday, 11 May: How Can We Rebrand Hospitality Careers to Attract Saudi Youth? Rethinking Hospitality Schools: Education, Experience & Environment Monday, 12 May: Opening remarks from HH Prince Bandar bin Saud bin Khalid Al Saud, Secretary General, King Faisal Foundation (KFF) & Chairman of the Board of Directors, Al Khozama Safeguarding Hospitality Investments Amid Market Shifts: Is Saudi Arabia Still the Land of Opportunity? With input from Khalid Saud Abu Haimed, Chief Executive Officer, Al Khozama; AlaaEldin Saleh, Chief Hotels Operating Officer, Rua Al Madinah Holding Company, and Cyril Piaia, Chief Executive Officer / Board Member at Confidential, moderated by Yousef Gamal El-Din, Former News-Anchor, Bloomberg Unveiling Market Trends: Insights into Branded Residences in the Kingdom, with insight from Daniel von Barloewen, Senior Vice President, Global Mixed-Use Development, Accor One Living; Julien Laloye, Director, Mixed-Use Development (EMEA), Marriott International, and Stephen Cheesebrough, Head of Development, Red Sea Global Inside the Mind of the Global Investor: What Draws Capital to Saudi Arabia, with confirmed speakers Christophe Beauvilain, managing Director, Pygmalion Capital and Amin Ismail, Managing Director, Certares Tuesday, 13 May How to Make a Brand Last? Featuring Maud Bailly,CEO, Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems and member of Accor's Luxury & Lifestyle Executive Committee The Future Workforce: Empowering Talent, Leadership, and Inclusion, with Benoît-Etienne Domenget, CEO, Sommet Education; Muin Serhan, CEO, Amsa Hospitality; and Amir Golbarg, SVP – Middle East and Africa, MINOR Hotels There are also key Saudi-specific sessions covering mega-events, climate risk, sustainability, the future of tourism and wellness. Follow the FHS Saudi Arabia agenda for all details and updates. Special events and focus sessions Sunday and Monday: Exclusive Leadership Conversations: Shaping the Future of UN Tourism, featuring talks with two candidates for the UN Tourism Secretary-General posiiton: Shaikha Al Nowais, Corporate Vice President, Owner Relationship Management at Rotana and Harry Theoharis, Member of Parliament, Hellenic Parliament & Candidate for UN Tourism Secretary-General. The candidates will share their visions for the future of global tourism, discuss the strategic priorities for UN Tourism, and reflect on the critical challenges and opportunities ahead. Sunday: Next Gen Investment Forum: Uniting top leaders to tackle the most pressing issues on education, training, and talent retention in KSA's hospitality industry. Monday: Start Up Den. One of the most popular, most anticipated annual events at FHS Saudi Arabia, the Start Up Den is a platform for entrepreneurs in the Saudi hospitality industry to present their business models to a panel of judges and investors. Participants gain exposure, potential mentorship, funding opportunities, and the chance to win prizes such as incubation support. Tuesday: Impact Leader Award: a first-of-its-kind initiative recognising the outstanding Saudi national women who are shaping the future of the industry. Net Positive Solution Labs powered by the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. A dedicated platform for collaboration and innovation, focussing on advancing net positive strategies in hospitality, with a series of sessions exploring practical solutions for environmental and social impact.
Syyaha
24-04-2025
- Business
- Syyaha
Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia unveils programme and participants for 2025 summit
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 24 April 2025: The Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia has unveiled an action packed agenda, key participants and new event features for the 2025 summit, taking place at the Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah in Riyadh, 11-13 May. Featuring everything from start-ups to staffing and innovation to investment, the FHS Saudi Arabia programme will address key challenges, opportunities and trends in hospitality and tourism, with leaders from government entities, hospitality companies, investment firms, developers and the education sector on the long and distinguished speaker list. Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench, organiser of FHS Saudi Arabia, said: 'With FHS Saudi Arabia just a few short weeks away, our power-packed 2025 agenda is shaping up to be our most ambitious yet with over 130 speakers confirmed. Expect in-depth discussions, strong debate and deep insight from some of the Middle East's most respected, talented and experienced leaders; a wealth of topics and a host of special events, awards and features that celebrate Saudi's hospitality sector of today – and shape the industry of tomorrow.' Speakers FHS Saudi Arabia reveals its list of top 20 speakers for 2025: • HH Prince Bandar Bin Saud Bin Khalid Al Saud, Secretary General of King Faisal Foundation (KFF) and Chairman of Al Khozama Investment Company• Sultan Bader Al-Otaibi, Chief Executive Officer, Taiba Investments• Nick Candy, Chief Executive Officer, Candy Capital• Marloes Knippenberg, Chief Executive Officer, Kerten Hospitality• Muhammad Bassrawi, Chief Domestic Tourism Officer, Saudi Tourism Authority• Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Global Chief Development Officer, Radisson Hotel Group• Gregory Djerejian, Group Chief Legal Officer, Red Sea Global• Serena Lim, Chief Growth Officer, The Ascott Limited• Maud Bailly, Chief Executive Officer, Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems• Steven Greenway, Chief Executive Officer, Flyadeal• Khalid Saud Abu Haimed, Chief Executive Officer, Al Khozama Investment Company• Shaikha Al Nowais, Corporate Vice President, Owner Relationship Management, Rotana• Hossam Al-Basrawi, Chief Executive Officer, Alrajhi Capital• Sean Hehir, President & CEO, Trinity Investments• Amin Ismail, Managing Director, Certares• Benoît-Etienne Domenget, Chief Executive Officer, Sommet Education• Omar Romero, Chief Development and Luxury Officer, MINOR Hotels• Michael Acton Smith, Co-founder, Calm • Dr. Abeer Alamri, Skills Development and Talent Optimization Expert On the agenda The FHS Saudi Arabia agenda has dozens of sessions across more than 12 tracks over three days. Here is the organisers' day-by-day must-attend list: Sunday, 11 May: • How Can We Rebrand Hospitality Careers to Attract Saudi Youth? • Rethinking Hospitality Schools: Education, Experience & Environment Monday, 12 May: • Opening remarks from HH Prince Bandar bin Saud bin Khalid Al Saud, Secretary General, King Faisal Foundation (KFF) & Chairman of the Board of Directors, Al Khozama • Safeguarding Hospitality Investments Amid Market Shifts: Is Saudi Arabia Still the Land of Opportunity? With input from Khalid Saud Abu Haimed, Chief Executive Officer, Al Khozama; AlaaEldin Saleh, Chief Hotels Operating Officer, Rua Al Madinah Holding Company, and Cyril Piaia, Chief Executive Officer / Board Member at Confidential, moderated by Yousef Gamal El-Din, Former News-Anchor, Bloomberg • Unveiling Market Trends: Insights into Branded Residences in the Kingdom, with insight from Daniel von Barloewen, Senior Vice President, Global Mixed-Use Development, Accor One Living; Julien Laloye, Director, Mixed-Use Development (EMEA), Marriott International, and Stephen Cheesebrough, Head of Development, Red Sea Global • Inside the Mind of the Global Investor: What Draws Capital to Saudi Arabia, with confirmed speakers Christophe Beauvilain, managing Director, Pygmalion Capital and Amin Ismail, Managing Director, Certares Tuesday, 13 May • How to Make a Brand Last? Featuring Maud Bailly,CEO, Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems and member of Accor's Luxury & Lifestyle Executive Committee • The Future Workforce: Empowering Talent, Leadership, and Inclusion, with Benoît-Etienne Domenget, CEO, Sommet Education; Muin Serhan, CEO, Amsa Hospitality; and Amir Golbarg, SVP – Middle East and Africa, MINOR Hotels There are also key Saudi-specific sessions covering mega-events, climate risk, sustainability, the future of tourism and wellness. Follow the FHS Saudi Arabia agenda for all details and updates. Special events and focus sessions Sunday and Monday: • Exclusive Leadership Conversations: Shaping the Future of UN Tourism, featuring talks with two candidates for the UN Tourism Secretary-General posiiton: Shaikha Al Nowais, Corporate Vice President, Owner Relationship Management at Rotana and Harry Theoharis, Member of Parliament, Hellenic Parliament & Candidate for UN Tourism Secretary-General. The candidates will share their visions for the future of global tourism, discuss the strategic priorities for UN Tourism, and reflect on the critical challenges and opportunities ahead. Sunday: • Next Gen Investment Forum: Uniting top leaders to tackle the most pressing issues on education, training, and talent retention in KSA's hospitality industry. Monday: • Start Up Den. One of the most popular, most anticipated annual events at FHS Saudi Arabia, the Start Up Den is a platform for entrepreneurs in the Saudi hospitality industry to present their business models to a panel of judges and investors. Participants gain exposure, potential mentorship, funding opportunities, and the chance to win prizes such as incubation support. Tuesday: • Future Leader Award: celebrating young, ambitious talent shaping the future of hospitality, tourism, and gastronomy in Saudi Arabia • Impact Leader Award: a first-of-its-kind initiative recognising the outstanding Saudi national women who are shaping the future of the industry. • Net Positive Solution Labs powered by the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. A dedicated platform for collaboration and innovation, focussing on advancing net positive strategies in hospitality, with a series of sessions exploring practical solutions for environmental and social impact. • Master Class: The Fundamentals of Branded Residences in Saudi Arabia FHS Saudi Arabia is at Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh, 11-13 May 2025, with the overarching theme of 'Where Vision Shapes Opportunity'. More than 1,400 delegates are expected to attend. For full details and to register, visit
Zawya
21-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
FHS Saudi Arabia offers key investments for Saudi Arabia's future
The Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia 2025 is set to bring together investors, developers, government decision-makers, and regional hospitality leaders for three days of networking, learning, debate, and deal-making in Riyadh. Last year's event attracted nearly 300 investors, creating over $1.1 billion worth of business opportunities and signing 17 deals. With KSA's hospitality and tourism transformation in line with Vision 2030, the stage is set for new partnerships, signings, and collaborations at FHS Saudi Arabia 2025. Leaders from Taiba Investments, Al Khozama Investment Company, Baraka, and AlNahla Group have shared their insights on investing in KSA, the importance of hospitality projects in Saudi's overall real estate offering, how tourism targets can be met, and what excites them most about KSA's future tourism offering, according to Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench. Taiba Investments is focusing on solidifying its position in the hospitality and real state sectors, aiming for sustainable growth by expanding in key hubs like Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah. The company is strategically expanding its portfolio with several hotel openings. Meanwhile, Al Khozama Investment Company says its expansion approach is selective and value driven. 'We invest in locations that allow to us to deliver distinction, whether through luxury hotels, fine dining or lifestyle assets. The goal is not just to grow, but to elevate the standard of hospitality wherever we operate,' said Khalid AbuHaimed, CEO, Al Khozama Investment Company. Developing transformative mixed-use destinations that integrate community, culture, and sustainability are at the centre of Baraka's investment strategy. Ebrahim Al Qassab, Projects Director, said: 'Our current focus is in Jeddah, with strategic plans to expand into other major cities across the Kingdom. We are committed to forging strong partnerships and launching new developments that align with Vision 2030, creating spaces that redefine the way people live, work, and connect.' AlNahla Group is heavily invested in KSA, with diversified investments in real estate, hospitality, banking and finance, automotive, trade, telecommunications. 'With a considerable land bank, major real estate developments are underway, including mixed-use and specialised projects, residential, retail, hotels, branded apartments, F&B and offices. The main focus is Jeddah, with projects in Medina and Taif,' said Mounib Hammoud, Mega Project Consultant. According to the Ministry of Investment Saudi Arabia (MISA), the country's real estate transformation is creating more than US$25 billion worth of investment opportunities in building and contractor services alone. This makes me wonder, how important are hospitality and tourism projects in relation to KSA's overall real estate investment offering? 'The country's real estate transformation has already positioned the Kingdom as a global leader in innovation, sustainability, and economic diversification within the real estate industry. Hosting global events like EXPO 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup will play an instrumental role in shaping future of the hospitality market in Kingdom over the next 10 years. Meanwhile, developing hospitality and tourism projects is boosting tourism infrastructure, enhancing hospitality offerings, generating demand in other sectors and enhancing the overall quality of life,' said Sultan Bader Al-Otaibi, Chief Executive Officer, Taiba Investments. Luc Delafosse, Vice President of Hospitality Management at Al Khozama Investment Company, believes hospitality and tourism plays a crucial part in the real estate sector for residential in business and leisure markets. 'The hospitality industry offers various housing and holidaying concepts to suit every need, and Al Khozama is developing its offerings to meet the market needs for present and future requirements,' he said. Saudi Arabia welcomed 30 million foreign tourists last year and is on track to host 70 million international visitors annually by 2030, according to the Ministry of Tourism. I asked our contributors what factors must be taken into account to ensure these goals are achieved—and sustained? According to Baraka, a strong foundation in infrastructure, accessibility, sustainability and cultural integration is essential in ensuring sustainable tourism growth. Ebrahim Al Qassab commented: 'At Baraka, our developments are designed to foster community-driven urban planning, with a focus on sustainable practices that preserve Saudi's heritage and environment. We believe that integrating authentic cultural experiences with world-class amenities will not only attract visitors but also create long-lasting, impactful destinations that benefit both residents and tourists.' Mounib Hammoud at AlNahla Group added: 'The tourism infrastructure, regulation and communication are key to success and sustainability of the sector. There is a serious need for a diversified supply of hotels and the modernisation of the existing stock.' All agree that Saudi is ripe for investment, but what is the most exciting area of growth for the country's tourism and hospitality sector, according to our contributors? Taiba's Sultan Bader Al-Otaibi, said: Saudi Arabia's tourism industry, particularly the hospitality sector, is expected to thrive in the coming years, as part of Saudi Vision 2030. Major projects in the country represent new global destinations for cultural, entertainment, and sports tourism. The country's religious tourism sector has shown remarkable recovery post-COVID. Taiba Investment has a strategic aim to develop integrated projects, leveraging government efforts to develop the infrastructure for projects in major cities to improve visitor experience and capacity. Alaa AlFarran, Director of Marketing & Communication at Al Khozama Investment Company, believes that most exciting growth lies in offering experiences that reflect who we are. The shift toward authentic, culturally rooted hospitality is where Saudi has a natural edge. As Saudis, we are known for our generosity. Hospitality is in our DNA. When we design spaces that feel sincere, welcoming, and meaningful, we're not just hosting visitors—we're building lasting emotional connections.' Meanwhile, AlNahla's Mounib Hammoud says each of the existing and planned tourism destinations offer a different proposition of quality and targets a certain type of tourist, local and international and from different walks of life. Saudi Arabia's tourism sector is entering a new era, according to Baraka. 'We see tremendous growth potential in eco-tourism, cultural heritage experiences, lifestyle communities, and branded residences. As part of our long-term strategy, we align closely with Vision 2030, ensuring our developments contribute to the Kingdom's evolving hospitality and tourism landscape. By creating immersive, sustainable, and culturally enriched destinations, we aim to enhance the global appeal of Saudi Arabia as a premier travel and investment hub,' said Ebrahim Al Qassab. FHS Saudi Arabia takes place 11-13 May at Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
