What’s new in KSA

A multi-million dollar government-funded effort to boost tourism in Saudi Arabia is part of a wider strategy to divert the country's economy away from its oil dependence. ATN looks at some of the country's latest projects and travel incentives.

While religious travel has traditionally been the key revenue generator in Saudi Arabia's tourism industry, accounting for two thirds of income, recent investments are placing an emphasis on business travel.

"Over the past few years we've seen more demand for meetings in Riyadh, because the government is making the visa process easier," observes Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh general manager Rami Sayess.

"It's also becoming easier for the female business travellers, since they no longer require their husbands staying with them."

Tourism developments on the Red coast in Ras Humaid, Sharma, Qayyal and Dhaffat Al-Wajh in Tabuk province, Arrayes in Yanbu, Ras Muhaisen in Makkah province, Haridha in Asir and Farasan in Jizan are expected to attract US $40 billion investments and $2.6 billion annual tourist spends, according to the Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities (SCTA).

It has been projected that the resorts will have a combined total of 557,000 rooms and will create 413,000 jobs.

Other recent projects in Saudi Arabia have attracted international five-star hotel brands, including Radisson-SAS, Marriott and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).

Furthermore, Hilton has named the GCC as one of its top ten key development markets internationally, specifically citing Saudi Arabia.

13 new Hilton Garden Inn hotels

A partnership between Hilton Hotels Corporation and Riyadh-based Al-Hokair Group for Tourism and Development will see 13 Hilton Garden Inn hotels, comprising 2500 rooms) introduced in Saudi Arabia over the next five years.

The hotels will be situated in key locations, such as Riyadh, Al Khobar, Dammam, Jubail, King Abdullah Economic City, Taif, Abha, Tabuk, Hail/Buraydah and Yanbu. The Riyadh-based hotel is expected to be the first to open, this year.

The agreement marks the entry of the first Hilton Garden Inn brand in the Middle East and Africa region. The service brand offers affordable rates for the mid-market traveller.

The hotels will feature guest rooms offering a minimum size of 28m², two food and beverage outlets and a number of small meeting rooms.

Crowne Plaza on schedule

Due to open in 2010, InterContinental Hotel Group's Crowne Plaza Riyadh is being developed in partnership with Saudia Arabia-based Mohammed A. Al-Swailem for Commercial Investment.

Conveniently located between the airport and city centre in Northern Riyadh, the hotel will mainly target the corporate market. It will feature more than 300 rooms and suites, seven meeting rooms and a 450m² banquet hall catering to more than 700 guests.

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