Tag Archives: KSA

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host the 26th session of the UN Tourism General Assembly from 7 to 11 November. The session will take place under the theme “AI-Powered Tourism: Redefining the Future” and will mark the 50th anniversary of the United Nations’ specialized agency for tourism. Represented by its Ministry of Tourism, Saudi Arabia will welcome more than 160 member states, international organizations, and global industry players to commemorate five decades of cooperation under UN Tourism and engage in dialogue aimed at securing a brighter, more sustainable future for the industry. Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, H.E. Ahmed Al Khateeb, invited the world to Riyadh to take part in a momentous milestone for global tourism diplomacy: “We look forward to hosting the world’s leading organization for tourism in a session that will redefine global action in this increasingly vital sector and beyond.” On being the first GCC country to host a UN agency’s general assembly, Minister Al Khateeb said: “This adds to the significance of this session and underscores the global vote of confidence given to Saudi Arabia as a convener and a trusted platform for international dialogue on tourism. Our mission—as hosts—is to bring the world together, unite views, and foster international cooperation that capitalizes on the growing tourism industry to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.” “The Kingdom firmly believes in the transformative power of tourism and its potential to enable comprehensive, sustainable development across economies and communities. This impact is evidenced by our own journey of unlocking the full potential of tourism and transforming the sector into a key driver of economic growth and diversification and an enabler of Saudi Vision 2030,” H.E. Al Khateeb added. …

His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, shared “By 2035, one in three new jobs will come from Travel & Tourism – no other sector can claim that. Saudi Arabia shows what vision and investment can achieve, with over 649,000 training opportunities, and a workforce that is nearly 50% women.” The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) launched a landmark report, revealing that while the sector is on course to support one in three new jobs worldwide by 2035, demographic and structural shifts could create a workforce shortfall of more than 43MN people if left unaddressed. The report, Future of the Travel & Tourism Workforce, which focused on 20 economies, launched at the global tourism body’s 25th Global Summit in Rome and developed with the support of the Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Coraggio Group, Miles Partnership, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University, is based on extensive global research, including a large-scale survey of business leaders and in-depth interviews with WTTC Members and other key stakeholders.    

Accor signed a master development agreement with BinDawood Investment, through its dedicated hospitality arm Al Qimmah, to develop and manage a portfolio of over 3,000 keys across Saudi Arabia, including landmark projects in the Holy Cities. The first phase will feature four flagship projects, including a new-build 288-key Swissôtel in Jeddah, which will be strategically located near King Abdulaziz International Airport and is set to open in 2029. Simultaneously, Madinah will welcome a new-build 1,015-key Mövenpick property in the northwest of the city, offering excellent connectivity via the Abu Bakr Al Siddiq road and convenient access to the Holy Mosque, also opening in 2029.The agreement solidifies BinDawood Investment role as a leading investor in the Kingdom’s hospitality transformation, confirming its alignment with the nation’s tourism plans for the decades ahead. As part of the agreement, Accor will introduce its premium, midscale, and economy brands across a diverse range of developments, spanning city hotels, serviced apartments, resorts and properties designed to serve religious tourism. Further bolstering Accor’s presence in the Holy Cities, Makkah will see the transformation of two existing properties. The ibis Styles Makkah Mesfalah, an 801-key economy hotel less than 2 km south of the Holy Mosque, will undergo a full renovation to provide enhanced accessibility for pilgrims, with reopening scheduled for 2027. Similarly, the Mercure Makkah Shesha, a 1,078-key midscale hotel conveniently located near the Mina pilgrimage site, will also undergo a complete renovation, welcoming guests in 2027. Following the announcement of the agreement, Dr. Abdulrazzaq Bindawood, Chairman said: “Through BinDawood Investment and its subsidiaries, we are proud to be shaping a new chapter in the Kingdom’s hospitality journey. Our partnership with Accor underscores our commitment to becoming …