A host of high-end consumer-benefit tech platforms and travel service providers such as Thriwe, Pastor & Co. and EaseMyTrip are gearing up for major expansion in Saudi Arabia, curating ultra-luxury services and amenities for affluent travellers amidst the country fast transitioning from a traditional pilgrimage destination to an emerging luxury tourism hub globally.
These companies are currently in the midst of striking partnerships and drawing up long-term plans with premium organisations and top-star hospitality majors in the country to provide access to premium clubs, fitness centres, besides offering luxury travel assistance at airports across the country for their affluent clients, industry insiders said.
They are also in parleys with banks and businesses to acquire, engage and retain top category customers through curated rewards, benefits, and loyalty programmes.
The service providers are expected to invest top dollars to aggressively expand their operations in the kingdom as they bet on the influx of tourists seeking luxury experiences to see quantum jumps going forward.
The influx is expected in the backdrop of Saudi Arabia reportedly seeking to spend more than $3.2 trillion by the end of this decade to develop its luxury tourism infrastructure under Vision 2030, its ambitious economic diversification plan launched in 2016.
“Recognising the growing interest [of affluent travellers] in Saudi Arabia, we decided to provide access to premium clubs and fitness centres for our clients’ customers,” Sachin Sharma, Group COO & KSA Country Manager at Thriwe, told Arabian Business.
“Our tech platform allows our clients’ customers to easily book and enjoy these services enhancing their lifestyle experiences and boosting brand loyalty.
“We have observed a significant demand and acceptance from the market,” he said.
Solomon Pastor, Director of Pastor & Co, a niche player supplying the world’s most rare and exclusive luxury items to the rich and famous and sports celebrities, said the company has been seeing a significantly growing demand for their products and services not only from the wealthy travellers to Saudi Arabia and members of the royal families, but even high net worth expats who now reside in the Kingdom have also been seeking their services and products.
“Before the world understood that Saudi Arabia was planning on transitioning from a religious tourist destination to a global luxury tourism hub, Pastor & Co. had many clients from the Kingdom as well as many friends.
“It was only natural for us to become part of that transition as Pastor & Co. became official suppliers for the Royal Commission of AlUla and Diriyah Gate Company – a feat only few can boast about,” Pastor told Arabian Business.
VIP travel assistance in Saudi Arabia
Industry insiders said the high-end and exclusive offerings by the niche service providers have been a great hit with affluent tourists to Saudi Arabia, as they can now enjoy top-tier clubs and fitness centres in prime locations throughout the Saudi region, especially on properties located in luxury beaches.
The offerings by tech platforms such as Thriwe go beyond clubs and fitness centres, as they even organise luxury travel assistance services at airports in Saudi Arabia to provide cash-rich travellers with a VIP experience throughout their stay.
“People are increasingly seeking luxury travel assist services at KSA airports,” said a senior executive at a Riyadh-based tourist service firm.
Sharma said their company provides VIP treatment at every step of the journey, offering luxurious and comfortable travel to and from the airport, handling luggage, expediting immigration, escorting travellers to their waiting transportation or lounge facilities, and valet parking services with their dedicated airport concierge teams.
Industry insiders said the service providers go all out to ensure that their affluent travellers receive a smooth and luxurious experience from arrival to departure.
OTAs target Saudi’s luxury travel boom
Leading online travel and tourism providers such as EaseMyTrip have come up with exclusive itineraries to cater to the diverse preferences of super-rich tourists to encash the huge opportunities from Saudi Arabia’s luxury hospitality sector.
Rikant Pittie, Co-founder of EaseMyTrip, said Saudi Arabia is emerging as an ideal getaway for luxury travellers.
“The increase in luxury travel to Saudi is significant, driven by the country’s unique blend of rich cultural heritage, modern attractions, and opulent hospitality.
“To meet this rising demand, we have meticulously curated exclusive itineraries and offerings that include luxury hotel stays, bespoke holiday packages, and personalised travel experiences designed to provide the utmost comfort and indulgence,” Pittie said.
Industry players said more and more online travel agencies (OTAs) are expected to come up with exclusive offers for elite travellers to Saudi Arabia as the authorities have drawn up massive plans to tap the country’s vast coastline, which runs for 2,640 kilometers across the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea, to develop ultra-luxury destinations in a sustainable manner.
By 2030, Saudi Arabia is expected to add 320,000 new hotel rooms to accommodate an anticipated influx of 150 million domestic and international tourists annually.
Besides the coastline, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious tourism development plans also include as many as 300 islands and hundreds of islets present in its waters.
It reportedly seeks to develop private islands like Sindalah, which is slated to host three luxury hotels, a golf course, sports club, beach club, spa facility, a 86-berth marina, and dozens of restaurants and shops.
“This project [Sindalah] alone is a demonstration of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to becoming a global luxury tourism hub,” Thriwe’s Sharma said.
Follow us on
