Saudi Arabia Rises With UAE as BWH Hotels and Eight Global Giants Ignite a Fierce Hospitality Revolution at WTM Riyadh

Written By: Saoli Chakraborty

Saoli Chakraborty

I am a passionate content writer with 4 years of experience crafting compelling narratives across industries, with a heart that beats entirely for the travel world. Over the years, I have specialized in turning complex travel trends and industry data into engaging, high-impact stories. My expertise lies in writing for global audiences across the US, Ireland, and Australia, allowing me to seamlessly adapt my voice to fit different regional markets and professional demographics.

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September 9, 2026 4:45 AM

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Saudi Arabia is booming. The UAE is booming as a tourism destination. Now two extremely attractive markets are set to witness fierce competition among hospitality groups. At the heart of this contest are BWH Hotels and eight major international hotel groups that are investing heavily in the Saudi market. BWH Hotels is also investing in key domestic markets such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Madinah. This is a major battle for market share. This is a race for tourists. And this is a competition for growth. These groups are bringing a wealth of new hotel products and brands, as the Kingdom’s tourism plans gather pace. Saudi Arabia is witnessing a huge increase in investment. International hotel groups are seeing a strong demand for luxury, business, family, and budget categories. Travel And Tour World magazine invites you to learn more about this captivating market and the global hotel giants vying for a bigger share.

Leading Global Hotel Groups Expanding Across Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia Hotel Boom: BWH Hotels and Eight Global Giants Race to Expand Across the Kingdom

Saudi Arabia is changing fast. New roads are opening. New resorts are rising. New cities are taking shape. And more visitors are arriving each year. Hotels are at the heart of this change. BWH Hotels is one of the global hotel groups looking to grow strongly in the Kingdom. The company is using its first WTM Spotlight Riyadh appearance to build new ties and support its Saudi expansion plans. But BWH Hotels is not alone. Eight other major hotel groups are also growing across Saudi Arabia. These include IHG Hotels & Resorts, Accor, Marriott International, Hilton, Radisson Hotel Group, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Minor Hotels. Each group has a different plan. Some are building luxury resorts. Some are adding business hotels. Others are targeting families, pilgrims and budget travellers. Together, they show one clear trend. Saudi Arabia is becoming one of the world’s biggest hotel development markets.

Saudi Arabia Hotel Market Statistics Show Strong Growth in 2026

BWH Hotels Sets Its Sights on Saudi Arabia

BWH Hotels has made Saudi Arabia a key part of its Middle East growth plan. The company brings together WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts and SureStay Hotels. Its global portfolio covers about 4,300 hotels in more than 100 countries and territories. It has 18 brands across different hotel segments. That range gives BWH Hotels a useful advantage. It can serve luxury travellers. It can also serve business guests, families, and budget-conscious visitors. The company has already announced several new hotel projects in Saudi Arabia. These include WorldHotels King Road in Jeddah. They also include Best Western Premier Riyadh, Best Western Centria Hotel in Riyadh, and Best Western Premier Madinah Hotel. The group is also adding SureStay properties in Madinah and Jeddah. It is bringing Executive Residency by Best Western to Al Khobar. This is important because Saudi Arabia needs more than luxury hotels. The country also needs good midscale hotels. It needs affordable rooms. It needs extended-stay options. It needs hotels in cities outside the main tourism centres. BWH Hotels is trying to cover these needs. The company has said that Saudi Arabia is a high-priority growth market. It has also set a long-term goal of reaching 70 hotels in the Kingdom. In 2026, BWH Hotels said it was developing 11 new hotel projects in the Middle East as part of this strategy. Its appearance at WTM Spotlight Riyadh therefore carries a bigger message. BWH Hotels wants to be part of Saudi Arabia’s next tourism chapter.

Comment of Anup Kumar Keshan, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Travel And Tour World

“Saudi Arabia is creating a new hospitality landscape at remarkable speed. The growing presence of global hotel groups shows strong confidence in the Kingdom’s tourism vision. From luxury resorts to affordable stays, this expansion will give travellers more choice while supporting jobs, investment and new destinations across Saudi Arabia.”

IHG Hotels & Resorts Expands at Speed

IHG Hotels & Resorts is another major player. The company already has a long history in Saudi Arabia. Its journey began in 1975 with the opening of InterContinental Riyadh. Five decades later, the group has a much larger plan. IHG currently has 48 hotels open in Saudi Arabia. Another 62 hotels are in its pipeline. That gives the group a total of 110 open and planned hotels. But the number alone is not the most interesting part. IHG is also bringing more luxury and lifestyle brands to the Kingdom. The company plans to have all six of its Luxury & Lifestyle brands in Saudi Arabia by 2028. These include Six Senses, Regent, InterContinental, Vignette Collection, Kimpton and Hotel Indigo. The strategy reflects a change in what travellers want. Many visitors no longer want only a room. They want a story. They want good design. They want local culture. They want food, wellness and memorable experiences. IHG is responding to that demand. Kimpton KAFD Riyadh has already brought the Kimpton brand to the Middle East. Six Senses Southern Dunes has added another luxury name to the country’s growing resort market. More properties are coming. Six Senses Amaala is expected to open in 2026. Six Senses AlUla is scheduled for 2027. Regent Jeddah Corniche is also planned for 2027. IHG has also introduced its new Noted Collection brand to the Middle East through a Riyadh hotel planned for the end of 2026. The message is simple. IHG does not want to serve only one type of traveller. It wants a place in every part of Saudi Arabia’s growing tourism market.

Accor Builds a Wide Saudi Portfolio

Accor has also placed Saudi Arabia high on its growth list. The French hotel group already has a large presence in the Kingdom. Its strategy covers many brands and many types of hotels. Luxury is an important part of the plan. But Accor is also adding midscale and economy hotels. The group has previously announced plans for dozens of new properties across Saudi Arabia. Its projects include Fairmont, Swissôtel and Novotel properties in Madinah. Accor has also worked on major developments in Riyadh and other Saudi cities. This broad strategy matters. Saudi tourism is not limited to Riyadh. Visitors are travelling to Jeddah. They are visiting AlUla. They are travelling to Madinah and Makkah. New destinations are also emerging along the Red Sea. Accor wants to be present across this growing map. The company has described Saudi Arabia as a major growth market and has linked its expansion to Vision 2030. Its model also goes beyond hotels. Some developments combine hotels with branded residences. Others bring restaurants, entertainment, and local attractions into larger mixed-use projects. That can make a hotel more than a place to sleep. It can become part of the destination itself.

Marriott International Reaches a Major Milestone

Marriott International is also moving quickly. The company has reached 100 hotels open and in the pipeline in Saudi Arabia. That is a major milestone. Marriott’s portfolio covers a wide range of travellers. Its brands include luxury names such as AW Marriott. It also operates premium and select-service brands such as Courtyard by Marriott, Four Points and Element. The group is not focusing on one city. It is expanding across Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, and other important destinations. One example is the planned Courtyard by Marriott Makkah Masar. The property is expected to have about 1,100 rooms and is scheduled to open in 2030. It will form part of the Masar destination. This type of development shows how hotel groups are responding to Saudi Arabia’s changing tourism needs. Religious travel remains important. Business travel is growing too. Leisure tourism is also expanding. Marriott can use different brands to serve all three markets. That flexibility is becoming increasingly valuable. Saudi Arabia is not one single tourism market. It is many markets at once.

Hilton Pushes Beyond the Main Cities

Hilton has also crossed an important milestone. In 2025, the company said it had surpassed 100 hotels trading and in the pipeline in Saudi Arabia. Its Saudi pipeline represented more than 22,000 rooms. The combined owner investment linked to the portfolio was estimated at US$8 billion. Hilton is using a multi-brand strategy. Its portfolio includes luxury hotels. It also includes lifestyle, full-service, and premium-economy brands. The company has been expanding beyond the biggest Saudi cities too. Its pipeline includes projects in Abha, Buraidah, Dammam, Jizan and Al Ahsa. That matters. Saudi Arabia wants tourism growth to reach more parts of the country. Hotel development must therefore move beyond Riyadh and Jeddah. Hilton’s strategy follows this direction. The company has also said that its Saudi expansion could create more than 15,000 jobs. At least half of those jobs are expected to be filled by Saudi nationals. This gives hotel development a wider role. It is not only about rooms. It is also about jobs, skills and local economic growth.

Radisson Targets 100 Hotels

Radisson Hotel Group is taking an equally ambitious approach. The group currently has 29 hotels operating in Saudi Arabia. Another 17 are under development. Its long-term goal is even bigger. Radisson wants to operate 100 hotels in Saudi Arabia by 2030. The company operates several brands. This gives it room to serve different customer groups. Its Saudi expansion also supports the country’s Vision 2030 goals. Radisson sees strong potential in the Kingdom’s growing tourism and hospitality sector. The group is also looking at more than just luxury. Saudi Arabia needs hotels at different price levels. It needs properties for business travellers. It needs hotels for families. It needs accommodation for visitors travelling between cities. Radisson’s broad brand portfolio gives it a way to target these different needs. Its 100-hotel ambition also shows how much confidence major hotel operators have in the Saudi market.

Wyndham Brings 100 Super 8 Hotels

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is taking a different route. The group has signed a major agreement to bring 100 Super 8 hotels to Saudi Arabia over ten years. The first hotel is expected to open in 2026. This is a significant move because it focuses on a part of the market that has often received less attention. Economy hotels. Saudi Arabia is attracting more tourists. But not every visitor wants a five-star resort. Some travellers want a clean room. They want a good location. They want a trusted brand. And they want a fair price. Wyndham believes there is a gap here. The planned Super 8 hotels will target major cities and important travel routes. Locations include Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Al Khobar and Dammam. Some hotels are also planned near highways and transit hubs. This could help make domestic travel easier and more affordable. It could also support workers and business travellers who need simple accommodation. The project is aligned with Vision 2030 and highlights a major change in Saudi tourism. The country needs hotels for everyone. Not just luxury guests. Not just international tourists.

Hyatt Builds a Luxury and Lifestyle Presence

Hyatt is another global name with a growing Saudi footprint. Its development list shows projects across several important destinations. These include Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, AlUla, the Red Sea and NEOM. The brand portfolio is also broad. Hyatt’s Saudi pipeline includes Andaz, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Centric, Hyatt House, Hyatt Place, Hyatt Regency, Miraval and Park Hyatt. This gives Hyatt access to different parts of the market. Grand Hyatt can serve luxury and business travellers. Hyatt Place and Hyatt House can support guests who want more practical stays. Park Hyatt and Andaz can target high-end leisure travellers. The locations are just as important. The Red Sea and NEOM are developing into major tourism destinations. Diriyah is becoming another important cultural and leisure hub. Hyatt’s pipeline places its brands close to many of these new tourism centres. The group is therefore positioning itself for the next stage of Saudi tourism, rather than simply following today’s demand.

Minor Hotels Enters a New Phase

Minor Hotels may not have the same size of Saudi pipeline as some of the biggest groups. But its strategy is worth watching. The company has more than 640 properties globally and operates brands such as Anantara, Avani, Tivoli and NH Collection. In 2026, Minor Hotels announced the first NH Hotels & Resorts property in the Middle East. The NH Riyadh Prime Square Hotel is planned for Saudi Arabia. The hotel will be part of Prime Square, a mixed-use development in Riyadh’s King Fahad District. It is scheduled to open in 2030. This is important for two reasons. First, it brings another international hotel brand to Riyadh. Second, it shows how Saudi Arabia is attracting new hotel concepts, not only established luxury names. Minor Hotels also has Anantara Trojena Resort in its future Saudi pipeline. The resort is planned for 2030 and will sit beside a mountain lake in Trojena. That project fits neatly with Saudi Arabia’s push to create new luxury destinations in dramatic natural settings.

Why So Many Hotel Groups Want Saudi Arabia

So why are so many global hotel companies moving into Saudi Arabia? The answer starts with Vision 2030. Saudi Arabia wants tourism to become a major part of its economy. It also wants to attract more international visitors. That means the country needs more rooms. But it needs the right rooms. Luxury resorts are important. So are three-star and four-star hotels. Business hotels matter. Extended-stay properties matter. Budget accommodation matters. Hotels near airports matter. Hotels near highways matter. And hotels close to religious sites matter. This is why the current hotel boom looks different from a normal building cycle. Hotel groups are not simply adding rooms. They are building portfolios. They are placing different brands in different locations. The latest WTM Spotlight Riyadh material highlights the scale of this race. It shows Marriott with 100 hotels open or in the pipeline, Hilton with 21 open and 83 in development, IHG with 48 open and 62 in development, Radisson with 29 open and 17 in development, Wyndham with plans for 100 Super 8 hotels, and Accor with 48 open and 47 in development. The numbers tell a powerful story. Saudi Arabia is no longer just an emerging hotel market. It is becoming a major global hospitality arena.

The Next Battle Will Be About Choice

The next stage of Saudi tourism will not be about simply building more hotels. It will be about building the right hotels. A luxury resort cannot meet every need. Neither can a budget hotel. Travellers have different budgets. They have different reasons for visiting. They also want different experiences. A family may want a large room and a pool. A business traveller may want a good desk and fast transport. A pilgrim may want a hotel close to Makkah or Madinah. A luxury traveller may want privacy and nature. A project worker may need an extended stay. This is where BWH Hotels and other major hotel groups compete. Their strength lies in their brand families. They can offer more choice. They can also move into new destinations as Saudi Arabia develops them.

Saudi Arabia’s Hotel Race Is Just Beginning

The hotel boom in Saudi Arabia is still gathering pace. BWH Hotels wants to reach 70 hotels in the Kingdom. IHG has 48 hotels open and 62 in its pipeline. Hilton has more than 100 hotels trading or planned. Marriott has reached 100 open and pipeline hotels. Radisson is targeting 100 hotels by 2030. Wyndham is planning 100 Super 8 hotels. Accor continues to build across luxury, midscale, and economy segments. Hyatt is expanding across Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, AlUla, NEOM and the Red Sea. Minor Hotels is bringing new brands and luxury concepts into the Kingdom. The race is therefore not between nine companies alone. It is part of a much bigger transformation. Saudi Arabia is building a tourism system that can welcome many types of visitors. It wants luxury. It wants value. It wants business travel. It wants family holidays. It wants religious tourism. It wants adventure. It wants long stays. And it wants global hotel brands to help make that vision real. For BWH Hotels, WTM Spotlight Riyadh offers a chance to strengthen its place in that story. For the other hotel groups, the message is just as clear. Saudi Arabia is open for hospitality. And the world’s biggest hotel brands are racing to get their keys on the table before the door gets crowded.

Conclusion

Saudi Arabia’s hotel boom is changing the face of travel in the Kingdom. BWH Hotels is part of this major shift. So are IHG, Accor, Marriott, Hilton, Radisson, Wyndham, Hyatt and Minor Hotels. Each group brings a different idea. Some focus on luxury. Others focus on value. Many are doing both. That is good news for travellers. More hotels mean more choice. More brands mean more experiences. More cities mean more places to explore. Saudi Arabia is building a new tourism story. Its hotel sector will be one of its biggest chapters. And for global hospitality groups, the race has already begun.