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Published on Thu, 11/13/2025 – 11:00
In mid-November, the Tourise 2025 Forum brought together more than 160 international speakers, CEOs, and leaders of hospitality and tourism organizations in Riyadh for three days on the theme: Shaping a New Horizon for Global Tourism.
The round tables addressed all aspects of tomorrow’s tourism in terms of investment, technology, and sustainability. It was an opportunity for the CEO of the Accor group to reaffirm his desire to be present in one of the most popular destinations of the moment.
Since opening its first hotel 30 years ago, the Accor Group has already expanded its footprint with 44 hotels in operation, but more importantly with an announced pipeline of 45 additional hotels to be delivered within five years.
The group will participate in the development of Saudi megaprojects, demonstrating its experience in sustainable operations and creating original experiences.
Priority to luxury brands, but not exclusively
All brands are set to feature prominently in future developments: Raffles Trojena, Fairmont The Red Sea, Faena The Red Sea, and Mantis Al Baha, as well as Ennismore properties, including SLS The Red Sea and Morgans Originals Trojena.
The development of its luxury brands appears to be a priority for the group, as exemplified by the 388-room Sofitel Riyadh Hotel & Convention Center (featured photo); the 142-room Raffles Jeddah with 40 suites overlooking the Red Sea, scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2026, and, in the same year, the world’s largest Sofitel, with 1,141 rooms and suites, Sofitel Jabal Omar in Mecca.
The holy city will also welcome an MGallery Collection, scheduled for 2028, the Abraj Omar Hotel & Residences (276 rooms and 214 apartments in branded residences).
Saudi Arabia wants to open up to a wider clientele by avoiding the pitfall of “all luxury” and is encouraging groups such as Accor to come with their midscale and even economy brands, notably Mövenpick (Mövenpick Waad Al Shamal), Novotel, Tribe, and Ibis.
A development supported by local investors
Accor relies heavily on local partners, including Al Qimmah, the hotel division of the BinDawood Investment fund, which will deliver 3,000 rooms across the country. Another example is the deal signed with Naif Alrajhi Investment for the first Tribe hotel in the Middle East at King Salman Park in Riyadh.
Accor also wants to be present in the branded residences segment, notably with Raffles and Sofitel Serviced Residences in Riyadh; Fairmont residences (Rua Madinah) associated with a Swissôtel and a Novotel; Faena Diriyah Gate and Raffles Diriyah Gate.
In Accor’s brand portfolio, the group is promoting Faena with a hotel in Wadi Safar associated with Faena Residences, in addition to a new residential brand concept, Our Habitas, with a philosophy focused on community and rituals rooted in local culture.
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