Sunday, July 6, 2025
Saudi Arabia’s hospitality revolution is roaring to life—and Oussama El Kadiri of Knight Frank stands at its forefront, pulling back the curtain on a transformation few could have imagined just a decade ago. At the Future Hospitality Summit 2025, his voice rings with excitement as he unpacks Vision 2030, a blueprint that’s not only rewriting Saudi Arabia’s tourism story but catapulting it onto the global stage.
From the glittering mega-projects rising from desert sands to the surge of luxury hotels reshaping skylines, Saudi Arabia is chasing bold dreams—and catching them fast. Meanwhile, investors from around the world are turning eager eyes toward the kingdom, sensing seismic shifts in opportunity.
Yet, beneath the towering developments lies a deeper mission: crafting authentic Saudi experiences that blend heritage, modernity, and innovation. Oussama’s insights reveal a nation determined to become a top-tier destination—and ready to surprise the world.
Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Ambitions Take Center Stage at FHS 2025
At the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) 2025 in Saudi Arabia, industry leaders and hospitality experts gathered to discuss the kingdom’s explosive growth in tourism. Among the key voices was Oussama El Kadiri, Head of Hospitality for Knight Frank MENA, who provided a compelling update on Saudi Arabia’s transformation into a dominant global tourism powerhouse.
Oussama El Kadiri described an unmistakable buzz at the summit, reflecting widespread optimism about the progress toward Vision 2030—a blueprint aiming to diversify the kingdom’s economy and position it as a leading tourism destination.
Vision 2030: Ambitious Goals Already Within Reach
Speaking at the Knight Frank booth, Oussama highlighted how Saudi Arabia has already achieved over 90% of its key objectives for 2030 in terms of visitor numbers. This impressive milestone underscores the country’s rapid progress in transforming its tourism and hospitality sector.
Several mega-projects—including NEOM, Amaala, Diriyah, and the Jeddah Central Development Company (JCDC)—are either underway or have already been delivered, symbolizing the scale and ambition of Saudi Arabia’s new tourism landscape.
“We’re seeing a lot of interest from investors outside the Saudi market, which is a completely new phenomenon for us,” Oussama noted, emphasizing the international appeal and investor confidence in the kingdom’s hospitality future.
Luxury Takes Center Stage in Saudi Hospitality
One of the most striking developments Oussama shared is the growing emphasis on the upscale and luxury segments within Saudi Arabia’s hospitality pipeline.
Currently, more than 60% of existing hotel supply falls into the upscale, upper-upscale, and luxury categories. Looking ahead, Oussama revealed that approximately 70% to 80% of future supply will also target these high-end segments.
This shift reflects a clear strategy: to elevate the quality of the tourism experience for both international visitors and a discerning domestic market eager for premium offerings and diverse experiences.
Authenticity and Cultural Heritage Define Saudi Arabia’s Unique Edge
Beyond luxury, Oussama emphasized Saudi Arabia’s commitment to authenticity and cultural richness as core pillars of its tourism vision.
Unlike other destinations in the region, Saudi Arabia aims to showcase its deeply rooted heritage and traditions. This focus aligns with efforts to create meaningful and authentic experiences for travelers seeking more than just lavish hotels.
“The youth will be highly contributing to putting that forward so that anyone could experience an authentic Saudi experience,” Oussama explained, underlining the kingdom’s ambition to engage its young population in shaping tourism narratives.
Diversifying Beyond Major Hubs: Hidden Gems Await Discovery
While Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina remain strong tourism anchors, Oussama revealed that Saudi Arabia is expanding its focus to include tier-two cities and lesser-known destinations.
These emerging areas promise unique natural beauty, cultural attractions, and new tourism products that could captivate both local and international visitors. Oussama referred to these as “hidden gems yet to be uncovered,” hinting at the untapped potential that lies beyond the kingdom’s major urban centers.
A Hospitality Revolution in Full Swing
Oussama El Kadiri didn’t mince words when describing the current momentum: “It’s absolutely a revolution now.”
He pointed to the unprecedented novelty, innovation, and sheer scale of developments reshaping Saudi Arabia’s hospitality landscape. However, he also acknowledged the significant challenges ahead, particularly the need to ensure a consistent supply of high-quality hospitality products across the country.
Preparing for the World Stage
As Saudi Arabia looks ahead to hosting major global events, including the World Cup, cities across the kingdom are preparing for transformative upgrades. Oussama highlighted that many urban areas will undergo remarkable facelifts, modernizing infrastructure and elevating visitor experiences.
Such developments are critical for positioning Saudi Arabia not merely as a regional destination but as a significant player on the global tourism stage.
Saudi Arabia Poised to Claim Global Tourism Spotlight
Concluding on a note of optimism, Oussama El Kadiri expressed confidence that Saudi Arabia’s hospitality revolution will cement its place as a dominant tourism destination worldwide.
With Vision 2030 progressing rapidly from plan to reality, Saudi Arabia is redefining itself as a hub of luxury, authenticity, and expansive tourism opportunity. Industry figures like Oussama are helping ensure the kingdom’s hospitality narrative remains firmly on track—and firmly in the global spotlight.
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Tags: AMAALA, Diriyah, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jeddah, Mecca, Medina, mena region, Middle East, NEOM, Riyadh, saudi arabia
