Turning Vision into Investable Reality | By Sultan Bader Al-Otaibi

In the lead up to FHS Saudi Arabia, taking place at from 20-22 April 2026 at Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh, we asked industry partners about what's next for hospitality investment in the Kingdom in line with this year's event theme: "Where Opportunity Meets Capital."

The global economic landscape is undergoing profound structural shifts that are reshaping industries worldwide. The hospitality sector is no exception, as changing investment flows, evolving demand patterns, and new development models redefine how and where capital is deployed.

Against this backdrop, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has emerged as a global investment destination, underpinned by multiple pillars of stability that resonate strongly with global investors. Chief among these are a clear long-term vision, policy continuity, and the breadth and depth of opportunities available across the hospitality value chain.

The convening of the Future Hospitality Summit 2026 (FHS) in Riyadh under the theme "Where Opportunity Meets Capital" reflects the Kingdom's growing role as a true meeting point between global capital and sustainable, large-scale growth opportunities in hospitality.

What sets Saudi Arabia apart is not only the scale of its projects but also a regulatory ecosystem that guides sector development and provides long-term visibility, confidence, and investability.

The National Tourism Strategy

The rapid transformation of Saudi Arabia's hospitality sector, along with its strong medium- to long-term growth outlook, is rooted in the National Tourism Strategy, which recognizes that capital alone does not create a sustainable economy. Rather, lasting economic value and social impact require an integrated ecosystem built on effective public-private partnerships, a competitive and enabling business environment, and shared responsibility as the foundation for long-term prosperity.

As a result, tourism and hospitality have become central drivers of economic diversification, job creation, and the Kingdom's emergence as a global destination.

Investment Attraction Fundamentals

Saudi Arabia's hospitality sector is supported by a strong set of investment fundamentals, including proactive government support, a diversified portfolio of tourism destinations, and the adoption of internationally recognized hospitality standards.

These fundamentals are reflected in the development of major urban destinations, such as the Red Sea, Diriyah, and Qiddiya City projects, alongside the revitalization of historical, cultural, and natural sites that are reshaping the hospitality landscape.

Supported by government investments exceeding hundreds of billions of dollars, these initiatives include significant infrastructure development, ranging from airports and transport networks to public utilities, which enhances the Kingdom's readiness, enables year-round demand, and strengthens long-term investment viability.

In addition, the Kingdom's geographic diversity supports a wide range of tourism offerings. The growing presence of regional and international companies establishing their headquarters in Saudi Arabia has further reinforced its position as a hub for major global events.

In this context, hosting major international events such as Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup has solidified the Kingdom's image as a leading year-round tourist destination.

Consequently, investment opportunities span high-growth leisure resorts, resilient urban hotels, and emerging segments such as medical and wellness tourism, all aligned with Vision 2030 objectives.

Global Partnerships as a Value Multiplier

Saudi investors have successfully forged strategic partnerships with leading global hospitality operators, enabling the transfer of advanced operating models, the adoption of international best practices, and improvements in operational efficiency and guest experience.

These partnerships have also contributed to knowledge transfer and national capacity building, reinforcing long-term sustainability and strengthening investor confidence in the Saudi market's growth trajectory.

For example, the Ministry of Tourism's Secondment Program provides Saudi hospitality professionals with international training through leading global hotel brands, supporting workforce readiness and sustainable talent development.

Governance, Environmental, and Social Responsibility

Saudi Arabia's hospitality sector has made substantial progress in integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into its development, growth, and operations.

Environmentally, energy and water efficiency, sustainable construction practices, and responsible resource and waste management have become standard, particularly in environmentally sensitive destinations, supporting both environmental stewardship and financial performance.

The Regulatory and Legislative Environment

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has undertaken a comprehensive modernization of its regulatory and legislative environment. The result has been clearer governance structures, faster licensing processes, and improved coordination among relevant authorities. These reforms have reduced development timelines, mitigated regulatory risk, and enhanced investor confidence in the market's stability and resilience.

Complementary initiatives, such as flexible financing, expanded public-private partnerships, business reforms, stronger investor protection, and regional headquarters policies, have boosted urban hospitality and business tourism, enhancing the sector's long-term investment appeal.

A Forward-Looking Vision

The transformation underway in Saudi Arabia's hospitality sector represents a remarkable success story, driven by a clear national vision, sustained government commitment, effective private sector collaboration, and a well-structured investment environment where opportunity and capital converge within a sustainable value.

As we look beyond 2026, Saudi Arabia offers a fully integrated hospitality investment model, delivering enduring economic and social value and positioning the sector among the most compelling hospitality investment landscapes globally.