RIYADH:聽There has been no looking back for the hospitality industry in 黑料社区 since September 2019 when the Kingdom opened its doors to international tourism with the introduction of e-visas and visas on arrival to visitors from 49 countries.聽
Despite challenging global conditions, 黑料社区 has emerged as one of the most competitive markets for the hospitality industry.
The Kingdom鈥檚 hotel segment is projected to generate $2.51 billion in revenue this year and is expected to reach $3.02 billion by 2027 according to Statista, an online platform specialized in market and consumer data.聽
鈥満诹仙缜 was named the most-visited Arab country in 2022 and is set to continue a growth trajectory for years to come,鈥 Dimitris Manikis, president of Europe, the Middle East, Eurasia, and Africa at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, told Arab News.聽
鈥淓vents such as the Future Hospitality Summit underpin the Kingdom鈥檚 efforts, opening the floodgates to regional and international travelers and investors, and will play a key role in firmly cementing 黑料社区鈥檚 place on the global map as a destination for business and leisure,鈥 he added.
Key trends
鈥淢odern, multilayered hospitality experiences are very much in-demand and essential to the future of hospitality in 黑料社区,鈥 Agn猫s Roquefort, global chief development officer, luxury and lifestyle, Accor, told Arab News.聽
She said: 鈥淗ospitality has evolved beyond simply just room stays 鈥 today it is a multilayered experience. The key is to develop hotels that are as attractive to locals as they are to travelers.鈥
The country is now ushering in a new era as the Kingdom aims to reach net zero by 2060.
Agn猫s Roquefort, Global chief development officer, luxury and lifestyle, Accor
Manikis added: 鈥淥ne of the most notable trends in the hospitality sector right now is the blending of business and leisure travel. With more people working remotely and the lines between work and personal life becoming increasingly blurred, many travelers are combining business trips with leisure activities, resulting in a growing demand for hotels and resorts that offer both business and leisure amenities across a diversified offering of accommodation styles.鈥
He said as the hospitality industry continues its resilient recovery from the challenges of a global pandemic, hoteliers are more and more interested in soft brands.聽
Haitham Mattar, managing director of India, the Middle East & Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts, told Arab News: 鈥淒ata-driven personalization is another trend influencing the Kingdom鈥檚 hospitality sector evolution. There is a focus on a traveler-centric approach that depends on careful technology planning and digital infrastructure that creates a seamless experience for visitors. This approach extends to the hotel experience, whether that is in how travelers find a room, or the experience gained once they step through the doors.鈥
Focus on sustainability聽
鈥淕uests are paying more attention than ever before to how a hotel impacts the world around it, with an increasing number deciding whether to book a stay based on a property鈥檚 carbon footprint, sustainable practices and how it supports the communities in which it operates,鈥 Mattar explained.聽
聽He added: 鈥淣ew destinations such as Red Sea Global are incorporating key sustainability practices to minimize the impact they have on the environment. Building on our commitment, in 2021, we launched a 10-year action plan called 鈥楯ourney to Tomorrow鈥 that will make a positive difference to our people, communities, and the planet. This is being reflected in our operations as well as growth in 黑料社区.鈥
One of the defining shifts in the industry is the focus around sustainability.
Ahmad Darwish, Chief administrative officer at Red Sea Global
Sandeep Walia, chief operating officer, the Middle East, Marriott International, told Arab News: 鈥淎ccording to Marriott Bonvoy鈥檚 2023 Travel Trends research, we are seeing that sustainability is increasingly becoming a priority for travelers, with most taking it into consideration and many shaping their holidays around this.鈥
Roquefort went on to say that 鈥渟ustainability is at the heart of everything we do at Accor and has also been at the heart of 黑料社区鈥檚 Vision 2030 plan since its inception. The country is now ushering in a new era as the Kingdom aims to reach net-zero by 2060 and our group鈥檚 growth ambitions are aligned with this.鈥
Guy Hutchinson, president, and CEO, of Rotana, told Arab News: 鈥淎s environmental awareness becomes increasingly important for travelers, we are actively working to reduce our carbon footprint, further cementing our commitment to creating practical and ambitious solutions in line with the net-zero vision.鈥
Ahmad Darwish, chief administrative officer at Red Sea Global, told Arab News: 鈥淥ne of the defining shifts in the industry is the focus around sustainability. What鈥檚 unique about the Red Sea (Global) is that it aims to be the world鈥檚 most ambitious regenerative tourism destination, delivering a 30 percent net conservation benefit by 2040.鈥