Thursday, May 15, 2025
The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Saudi Arabia 2025 officially opened in Riyadh, marking a major milestone for the Kingdom’s hospitality sector. Held at the prestigious Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah from May 11 to 13, the summit brought together over 1,000 senior decision-makers, 200 investors, and 150 expert speakers, all converging to discuss the dynamic landscape of hospitality investment and development in Saudi Arabia. The event, under the theme “Where Vision Shapes Opportunity,” showcased the Kingdom’s growing prominence as a global hub for tourism and hospitality innovation.
The summit’s opening ceremony was graced by His Highness Prince Bandar bin Saud bin Khalid Al Saud, Secretary General of the King Faisal Foundation (KFF) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Khozama Investment Company. In his remarks, Prince Bandar emphasized that hospitality in Saudi Arabia has evolved far beyond the basics of infrastructure and service. Instead, it now embodies the nation’s identity, culture, talent, and leadership aspirations. He underscored the importance of creating opportunities for Saudis to tell their story and shape the experiences of global visitors discovering the country.
The presence of Mahmoud Abdulhadi, Deputy Minister of Tourism for Destination Enablement at the Ministry of Tourism, further highlighted the strategic vision guiding the Kingdom’s hospitality sector. Abdulhadi’s address aligned with the summit’s theme, emphasizing the transformative potential of hospitality as a key pillar in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030—a plan aiming to diversify the economy and promote sustainable growth through tourism.
The program of the Future Hospitality Summit was designed to be comprehensive, spanning three days with over 80 sessions across 18 different content tracks. Topics ranged from investment, financing, and real estate to destination development, technology, innovation, sustainability, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), luxury hospitality, food and beverage, and experiential travel. This broad scope ensured that attendees received insights into every facet of the industry, equipping them to navigate and capitalize on evolving trends.
Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench and organizer of FHS Saudi Arabia, expressed excitement about the event’s return to Riyadh. He thanked the host sponsor, Al Khozama Investment, for their support and anticipated a vibrant few days of dialogue and idea-sharing among some of the region’s most respected hospitality leaders. Worsley stressed the importance of such summits in shaping the future of the hospitality industry, especially in a rapidly developing market like Saudi Arabia.
Khalid Saud AbuHaimed, CEO of Al Khozama Investment, highlighted the partnership with FHS as a testament to their belief in hospitality’s power to create opportunity and drive excellence. Al Khozama Investment’s involvement underscored the role of private investment and development in realizing Saudi Arabia’s ambitions within the global tourism sector.
The summit began with the launch of the NextGen: Investment Forum, a pioneering new initiative focusing on education, training, and talent retention within Saudi Arabia’s hospitality industry. With projections estimating 1 million new tourism jobs and 320,000 new hotel rooms by 2030, the forum addressed the critical need to invest in the next generation of leaders. This focus on human capital development is essential to fulfilling the ambitious goals set out in Vision 2030.
Throughout the three days, the summit featured a diverse array of session formats. These included keynote speeches from industry visionaries, panel discussions addressing current challenges and opportunities, exclusive leadership conversations offering deep dives into specific topics, master classes providing hands-on learning, roundtable discussions encouraging peer-to-peer exchange, and ample networking sessions to foster connections and partnerships.
The 2025 edition of FHS Saudi Arabia also anticipated a record number of signing ceremonies, reflecting growing confidence and investment in the sector. Following the announcement of $1.1 billion in business opportunities during the 2024 summit, the momentum is expected to continue with new project launches and collaborations that will further enhance Saudi Arabia’s hospitality landscape.
For the travel industry, the summit is a clear indicator of Saudi Arabia’s accelerating development as a tourism destination. The Kingdom’s strategic location, rich cultural heritage, and significant investment in infrastructure and services position it to attract a broad spectrum of travelers—from leisure tourists seeking authentic cultural experiences to business travelers drawn by emerging opportunities.
The summit’s focus on sustainability and ESG principles also aligns with global tourism trends emphasizing responsible travel and environmental stewardship. By integrating these principles into its hospitality growth, Saudi Arabia aims to appeal to environmentally conscious travelers and investors who prioritize sustainability.
Globally, the developments highlighted at the Future Hospitality Summit have far-reaching implications. The increase in tourism infrastructure and services in Saudi Arabia will contribute to diversifying international travel destinations, providing travelers with new, exciting options in the Middle East. As the Kingdom continues to open its doors to the world, enhanced connectivity and world-class hospitality will encourage more cross-border travel and cultural exchange.
The summit also demonstrated the crucial role of collaboration among government bodies, private investors, and international partners in driving tourism growth. This model can serve as a blueprint for other emerging destinations seeking to build sustainable tourism economies that benefit local communities while offering high-quality experiences to visitors.
The Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia 2025 has firmly established itself as a pivotal event shaping the future of the Kingdom’s tourism industry. With its extensive program, high-profile attendees, and strong emphasis on innovation and sustainability, the summit is not only influencing local hospitality development but also impacting the global travel landscape. As Saudi Arabia continues its transformation under Vision 2030, the hospitality sector is poised for dynamic growth, offering unparalleled opportunities for travelers, investors, and industry stakeholders alike.
