These ambitious expansion plans align with the hospitality group’s commitment to supporting the Saudi Arabia Vision 2030. Several exciting new hotel projects have just been announced.
Strategic growth
Having operated in Saudi Arabia for 30 years, Accor is continuing to play a role in the development of the country’s tourism. The group’s 42 existing hotels, encompassing a total of 16,334 keys, are to be joined by a pipeline of 56 properties together amounting to more than 10,000 keys.
This pipeline of new projects combines hotels with residences and local attractions, while meeting all of Accor’s ethical, social and governing principles that contribute to a healthier environment. Highly anticipated openings this year are to include Raffles Jeddah, Fairmont Ramla Serviced Residences Riyadh, Sofitel Riyadh and Movenpick Waad Al Shamal-Turaif.
“The future of Saudi Arabia is extremely bright and Accor is accelerating expansion plans to meet the growing demand for modern, multi-faceted experiences – for guests, locals, homeowners, and our investment partners,” said Sébastien Bazin, Chairman & CEO, Accor.
“As the largest hotel operator in the kingdom, we are boldly redefining the way hospitality is delivered throughout Saudi Arabia – bringing together multiple brands, mixing hotels with residences, introducing new food and drink concepts, partnering with acclaimed restaurateurs, and taking hotel-level experiences to new heights.”
“Most importantly, we are leading the industry toward positive hospitality – supporting communities and our environmental and social commitments, in full alignment with the goals of Vision 2030.”
Upcoming developments
Within these plans are three recently announced signings with the Rua Al Madinah project in Madinah, a master-planned development project in Riyadh and a multi-city, master development by Amsa Hospitality.
The Rua Al Madinah project will include a 142-key Fairmont hotel and 120 Fairmont-branded residences, as well as a 466-key Swissôtel and 328-key Novotel. This project will add over 1.5m sq m of space to the Al Masjid Al Nabawi, known as the Prophet’s Mosque.
The master planned development in Riyadh will then see the creation of a 230-key Raffles hotel, 250-key Sofitel Serviced Residence and 60-villa MGallery resort, which are all to open by 2027. This development by Erth Real Estate Company will also encompass office towers, residential towers and retail and commercial space that’s all built around a central garden.
The third of these projects, a master development agreement with Amsa Hospitality, will include the development and franchising of 18 Accor hotels in multiple cities over the next ten years. Together, Accor and Amsa will open a series of properties under the group’s economy and midscale brands, including the recently launched Handwritten Collection, with Accor acting as third-party operator.
“Saudi Arabia presents a burgeoning hospitality sector which offers a host of opportunities to leverage Accor’s diverse ecosystem of hospitality brands, and we are confident the group will double its presence in the Kingdom over the next five years,” said Jean-Jacques Morin, Group Deputy CEO and Premium, Midscale & Economy Division CEO.
“While many of our luxury and lifestyle brands are already well-known throughout the kingdom, we look forward to establishing a larger presence with our premium, midscale, and economy brands in the country’s fast-growing, second tier cities – particularly in up-and-coming neighbourhoods where we can mix hotels, restaurants, workspaces, and entertainment experiences that are as compelling to locals as they are to travellers.”
