InterContinental Hotels & Resorts (IHG) expects its Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio in Saudi Arabia to expand to six brands by 2028, as the global hospitality group expands alongside the Kingdom’s tourism ambitions, a top official revealed.
Current and upcoming properties
Alongside the three establishments already open – Six Senses Southern Dunes, InterContinental Red Sea Resort, and Kimpton KAFD Riyadh – IHG is set to open Regent Jeddah and Hotel Indigo Oxagon Village in Neom by 2027, and a Vignette Collection Resort in Riyadh by 2028.
Speaking to Arab News, Maher Abou Nasr, managing director for Saudi Arabia at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said the expansion reflects the pace of the Kingdom’s tourism transformation, strong owner confidence, and rising demand for hospitality experiences that are both globally recognized and locally relevant.
Future Hospitality Summit context
The announcement comes ahead of the Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia, set to take place from June 22 to 24 in Riyadh, where industry leaders will discuss investment and expansion opportunities as the Kingdom continues to advance Vision 2030 and its target of becoming one of the world’s leading tourism destinations.
“By 2028, IHG is set to grow its Luxury & Lifestyle presence in Saudi Arabia to six brands, making the segment a defining part of our growth story in the Kingdom,” Abou Nasr said, adding: “Luxury & Lifestyle is one of the important strategic drivers of IHG’s growth in Saudi Arabia, as travelers increasingly seek stays that are distinctive, design-led and rooted in local culture.”
Pipeline and workforce
The managing director noted that Luxury & Lifestyle already represents nearly 50 percent of IHG’s development pipeline in Saudi Arabia, with the segment becoming increasingly relevant as traveler expectations evolve. IHG currently has 62 hotels in the pipeline across Saudi Arabia, representing approximately 20,000 rooms, with openings planned over the coming years as part of its long-term growth strategy. Several brand debuts and milestone openings are expected over the next two years, reinforcing the company’s focus on premium hospitality.
Abou Nasr said IHG’s expansion in Saudi Arabia is a long-term strategy aligned with the Kingdom’s tourism ambitions, with the Kingdom aiming to attract 150 million annual visitors by 2030, increase the sector’s contribution to gross domestic product to 10 percent, and create 1.6 million jobs across the industry.
Partnerships and local talent
Strong partnerships with hotel owners remain central to IHG’s expansion in Saudi Arabia, supported by government backing, economic transformation, infrastructure investment and rising tourism demand under Vision 2030. “The continued expansion of our pipeline demonstrates the confidence owners place in both the Saudi market and IHG as a long-term partner,” he said.
The managing director also shed light on how developing local talent remains central to IHG’s long-term strategy in the Kingdom, with Saudi nationals now accounting for around 50 percent of its workforce. He highlighted the company’s Masarona by IHG program, launched last year to attract, develop and retain local talent through training, mentorship and leadership opportunities, helping build the next generation of Saudi hospitality leaders.
Challenges and resilience
Asked about challenges facing the hospitality sector, Abou Nasr said: “The hospitality industry has proven remarkably resilient in recent years, but there are naturally challenges that operators must continue to navigate. These include talent development, evolving guest expectations and cost pressures. Having said that, with the right investment across talent development, bringing the right brands to the market, and working closely with our stakeholders, we navigate these challenges and convert them into opportunities for us.”
