Friday, April 12, 2019

Just days after signing deals to open new Staybridge Suites in Dubai, IHG has signed two franchise agreements to open new Holiday Inns in Saudi Arabia. The Holiday Inn Madinah King Abdulaziz Road will open as part of a deal with Loulouat Al Madinah Hospitality while the Holiday Inn Jeddah Al Hamra is part of a deal with Al Hokair Group. 

The Jeddah property will have 253 rooms, three food and beverage outlets, six meeting rooms, a business center, an outdoor pool, a gymnasium and a spa. The 180-room Madinah hotel will have 2,000 square meters of banqueting space for events and conventions, a business center as well as a gym and two dining options.

The projects are part of Saudi Vision 2030, an urban development initiative to reduce the country's dependence on oil and modernize the economy and society. This initiative includes a focus on investment in industries, particularly in tourism and hospitality. 

"Saudi Arabia remains a key strategic market for IHG in the Middle East, and we are proud to collaborate once again with our esteemed long-term partner, Al Hokair Group, and also to partner with Loulouat Al Madinah Hospitality for the first time," said Pascal Gauvin, managing director, India, Middle East and Africa, IHG. "These signings demonstrate our commitment to Vision 2030 and the development of the rapidly evolving hospitality sector in the Kingdom."

Omar Samara, CEO of Al Hokair Group, said, "The tourism landscape in Saudi Arabia is changing, in line with Vision 2030, and offers unprecedented opportunities for the hospitality sector. This partnership will further diversify the type of hospitality offerings in both cities for international and domestic travelers alike."

"In line with Saudi Vision 2030, there will be an increase in the number of religious tourist arrivals in Madinah and this partnership will give us an opportunity to offer quality branded accommodation[s] to our international and domestic guests," said Sami Al Hokair, managing director, Loulouat Al Madinah Hospitality.

Source: https://www.hotelmanagement.net/development/ihg-plans-new-holiday-inns-for-saudi-arabia