Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – In a major push to attract tourists, Saudi Arabia is embarking on a significant expansion of its hospitality sector. According to a new analysis by Knight Frank, a global property consultancy, the kingdom plans to develop a staggering 320,000 new hotel rooms by 2030.
This ambitious project prioritizes luxury experiences, with an estimated 67% of the new rooms falling into the upscale (4-star) or luxury (5-star) categories. This focus on high-end accommodations reflects Saudi Arabia’s strategy to cater to a projected surge in tourism, aiming to welcome a total of 150 million domestic and international visitors by 2030. This represents a 50% increase from the previous tourism target.
“The government is actively pursuing various strategies to attract international travelers,” said Turab Saleem, Partner and Head of Hospitality at Tourism and Leisure Advisory in Middle East and Africa for Knight Frank. These strategies go beyond just building new hotels and include the development of cultural and entertainment offerings across the country.
Saleem highlighted existing attractions like the Jeddah F1 Grand Prix and numerous seasonal entertainment events. He also pointed to exciting new additions like Boulevard World, a theme park in Riyadh, and the licensing of 24 additional theme parks by the Saudi General Entertainment Authority in the past year. These initiatives aim to create a more well-rounded tourism experience for visitors and solidify Saudi Arabia’s position as a major tourist destination.
