Hyatt International To Expand Saudi Presence, Aiming For 5,000 Rooms By 2028

Riyadh, SPA – In a significant move towards bolstering the Kingdom's tourism sector, Minister of Tourism Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khateeb welcomed Tom Pritzker, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hyatt International, at the ministry headquarters today. The meeting heralded Hyatt's ambitious expansion plans within Saudi Arabia, aiming to increase its hotel capacity from 1,700 rooms to 5,000 rooms over the next five years. This expansion is set to play a crucial role in enhancing the Kingdom's tourism infrastructure.

The discussions between Al-Khateeb and Pritzker explored the potential for Hyatt Hotels to contribute to the training and employment of Saudi personnel. This initiative aligns with the ministry's ongoing efforts to empower Saudis in the tourism sector. Al-Khateeb emphasized that attracting esteemed international hotels like Hyatt is part of the Kingdom's strategy to develop its tourism sector and provide world-class services.

The ministry has set ambitious targets to increase the number of hotel rooms to more than 550,000 by 2030. These efforts are in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 goals, which aim to attract 150 million tourists by 2030 and increase tourism's contribution to the GDP by 10%. The Kingdom is experiencing a period of prosperity and development in its tourism sector, making it an opportune time for such expansions.

Pritzker expressed admiration for the Kingdom's development in tourism infrastructure. He highlighted that the excellent facilities provided by Saudi Arabia for investors were a key factor encouraging Hyatt to expand its presence across various tourist destinations within the country.

This meeting marks a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia's journey towards becoming a leading global tourist destination. With international partnerships flourishing and a clear vision for the future, the Kingdom is well on its way to achieving its ambitious tourism goals.

With inputs from SPA