FHS Saudi Arabia celebrates entrepreneurship as Startup Den returns for 2026 edition
FHS Saudi Arabia's Startup Den returns for 2026, with six finalists pitching live for prizes including FHS World access and curated meetings with VCs and investors.
Development
FHS Saudi Arabia pre-event feature: hospitality investment outlook
FHS Saudi Arabia (22-24 June, Riyadh) previews the Kingdom's 358,000-room pipeline and investment outlook, featuring perspectives from Wyndham, The First Group, Amsa, and Ewaa Hotel Group.
Tourism 2030: A Better, More Accessible Travel Experience for the Middle East
Wyndham's 100-hotel Super 8 signing in Saudi Arabia exemplifies how mid-market and lifestyle brands are filling a supply gap as UAE and Saudi Tourism 2030 strategies shift from luxury-led to balanced growth.
By Mohammed Haj Hassan, Market Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, The Bench
Middle East Hotel Construction Pipeline Shows Positive Growth in Q1 2026; Reaches a Record High 717 Projects
The Middle East hotel construction pipeline hit a record 717 projects and 177,110 rooms in Q1 2026, up 13% YOY, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and UAE leading by project count.
Where Opportunity Meets Capital: Unlocking Saudi Arabia’s Next Phase of Hospitality Growth
Analysis ahead of the 2026 Future Hospitality Summit explores how Saudi Arabia's young demographics and Vision 2030 are reshaping investment strategies toward franchise models and midscale properties.
By Wytze van den Berg, Vice President, International Operations, BWH Hotels EMEA, The Bench
Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia announces packed programme for 2026 edition
The summit returns to Riyadh with 1,100+ expected attendees and focus on $1.6 billion in business opportunities generated in 2025.
IHG accelerates growth in Egypt with dual Holiday Inn signing and marks entry into the city of Aswan
Two 200-key Holiday Inn properties will open in 2029 and 2030, adding to IHG's 10 existing Egypt hotels and 23-property pipeline.
Chedi Hospitality Partners with Rawasi Development to Explore a Landmark Expression of Mountain Living in Oman
The partnership will explore a mixed-use mountain development at Jabal Bausher, featuring a hotel, private residences, and lifestyle components integrated across distinct elevation tiers.
Saudi Arabia’s next hospitality chapter will be defined by the breadth of its capital
Analysis explores how Saudi hospitality investment is evolving from development-focused momentum to a sophisticated market matching diverse capital types with varied opportunity segments.
By Elie Milky, Chief Development Officer, Middle East, Northeast Africa, Greece & Cyprus, Radisson Hotel Group, The Bench
Patel Family Office and AHQ launch $1bn ‘AYARA’ Hospitality Platform to develop 50 hotels in Saudi Arabia
The $1 billion deal will create 5,000-7,000 rooms by 2029, targeting Saudi Arabia's underserved mid-market business travel segment through a vertically integrated platform.
Palladium Hotel Group Signs an Agreement with the Tourism Development Fund (TDF) to Advance its Expansion in Saudi Arabia
The Spanish hotel group will explore development opportunities in Jeddah and Yanbu as part of its 13-property expansion plan through 2028.
Four key insights from the FHS World Advisory Board
Middle East leads globally with $183 ARR while the industry shifts toward institutional investors and AI integration reaching 89% adoption by next year.
Turning Vision into Investable Reality
The piece outlines Saudi Arabia's hospitality investment fundamentals ahead of FHS 2026, highlighting Vision 2030, mega-projects like Red Sea and Qiddiya, and regulatory reforms driving the Kingdom's emergence as a global destination.
By Sultan Bader Al-Otaibi, Chief Executive Officer – Taiba Investment Company, The Bench
Mandarin Oriental to Expand Its Presence in Egypt with Two Iconic Hotels and a Luxury Nile Cruise Experience
The expansion includes management of two iconic properties in Luxor and Aswan plus the brand's first luxury Nile river cruise, all opening in 2027.
The Bench launches Future Hospitality Summit Egypt
The November 2026 event will focus on Egypt's $9B hospitality market opportunity, driven by record tourism and branded residences growth.
Saudi Arabia’s 171,650 key hotel market set to expand with 94,500 rooms in the pipeline as visitor growth races towards a new 150 million target
Knight Frank report shows 94,500 hotel rooms under construction, with 75% focused on luxury segment as the Kingdom targets 150 million annual visitors by 2030.
Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia announces first speakers for 2026 edition
The April 2026 event expects 1,100+ delegates and will focus on investment opportunities across Saudi Arabia's hospitality sector, including giga projects and secondary cities.
Al Qimmah Hospitality and Marriott International Announce Agreement to Add More Than 2,700 Hotel Rooms in Saudi Arabia
The partnership adds properties in Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah, including Marriott's first Four Points Flex by Sheraton in the Kingdom.
IHG Hotels & Resorts marks 50 years in Saudi Arabia and opens a new chapter of inspired hospitality
IHG has grown from one hotel in 1975 to over 100 properties open and planned, targeting Saudi Arabia's 150 million visitor goal by 2030.
Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia Marks Ninth Edition in Riyadh
The conference will return to Riyadh in April 2026, following this year's event that generated USD 1.6 billion in business opportunities and 11 hotel signings.