214 new hotels to be built in Saudi Arabia
SCTA drafts plans to boost investment in hospitality and tourism sector
Saudi Arabia will see 214 new hotels built over the next two years.
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A total of 214 new hotels will be built in the Kingdom over the next two years, according to an official from the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA).
Salah Al-Bukayyet, deputy president of the SCTA, said the first phase of the project would provide 1,364 rooms. An estimated $38 billion will be pumped into the hotel sector by 2020. The SCTA is currently developing a number of tourist destinations, including Al-Aqeer beach at a cost of $4.5 billion.
SCTA has drafted a plan to set up a mechanism to boost investments in the sector and provide funding for suitable projects.
“These hotel projects are in line with the Kingdom’s aim to provide more tourism choices, better services and affordable prices,” said Al-Bukayyet. He added there had been significant growth in the sector, particularly in Riyadh.
“Many international names in the hospitality sector are entering the Saudi market for the first time while others are expanding,” he explained.
A recent SCTA report indicated that 100 towers would be built in Makkah, led by the Jabal Omar and Jabal Al-Kaaba projects.
The Jabal Al-Kaaba project stands on an area of 35,000 sqm, on which six international towers with 8,500 rooms will be built.
