Marriott International Sheds Light on Local Tourism in Saudi Arabia
Marriott International has unveiled an interesting insight – the majority of the hotel’s guests in Saudi Arabia are local, highlighting the significance of internal tourism in the Kingdom.
Chadi Hauch, the hotel’s regional vice president of development, shared this revelation during an interview with Arab News at the Future Hospitality Summit in Riyadh.
Hauch emphasized the role of the local market in driving leisure tourism in Saudi Arabia, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He noted that the pandemic prompted Saudis to explore their own country, leading them to discover hidden gems like Abha.
As Saudi Arabia aims to attract international travelers, Hauch mentioned the government’s efforts to position the country as a desirable destination, similar to the Maldives.
Marriott International currently operates 38 properties in the Kingdom, with plans to add 40 more in the near future.
During the interview, Hauch discussed the partnership between Marriott International Inc. and Al Qimmah Hospitality to introduce the JW Marriott brand to Jeddah, offering luxury-seeking travelers a waterfront escape on the Jeddah Corniche.
Furthermore, the VP highlighted the agreement with NEOM to open the second Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Saudi Arabia, located in the picturesque mountain destination of Trojena.
Marriott’s operating models, management agreements, and franchise agreements were also touched upon, shedding light on the different investment structures for hotel development.
The Future Hospitality Summit, focusing on sustainable tourism and technology-driven hospitality, attracted over 1,200 global investors at Al Faisaliah Hotel.