During the Future Hospitality Summit – Saudi Arabia, Riyadh-based Blacksand and Marriott International announced the signing of a strategic agreement. This agreement provides for the development of ten hotels with a total capacity of over 1,300 rooms in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The projects are planned for completion within the next four years. This cross-brand cooperation establishes a long-term collaboration between the two companies with the aim of developing projects that align with Saudi Arabia's growing ambitions in tourism and urban development.
Omar Alabdullatif, CEO of Blacksand, stated that this agreement represents a milestone for Blacksand and underscores the company's ambitious goals. He emphasised that the partnership with Marriott International brings together globally recognised brands and a shared commitment to creating exceptional hospitality offerings in the Kingdom. An agreement of this magnitude contributes to shaping the nation's future, and they are proud to set benchmarks for quality, experience, and long-term value.
Diversification of the Hotel Portfolio
Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer for Europe, Middle East, and Africa at Marriott International, added that the agreement with Blacksand highlights Marriott's commitment to diversifying its portfolio in Saudi Arabia to provide unique hotel experiences that meet the country's tourism priorities. He elaborated that the offering would range from exclusive resort stays and design-led accommodations to local community hubs and apartments for extended stays. Marriott International intends to offer a range of experiences tailored to the evolving needs of travellers in the Kingdom.
The agreement includes hotel developments across Marriott's Luxury, Premium, Select, and Extended-Stay brand segments. The planned brands include St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Hotels, Autograph Collection, Moxy Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, and Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy. This portfolio combines brand prestige and design with locally inspired concepts. The projects are currently in the planning and early construction phases. Openings are scheduled in several phases until 2030, with the first hotel set to open in Riyadh.
Economic Impetus through New Jobs
Upon completion, the ten hotels are expected to create over 6,000 full-time jobs. A quota of at least 60% of these positions is reserved for Saudi nationals. Blacksand and Marriott International view this cooperation as a foundation for future projects. Both companies aim to expand their joint portfolio throughout the Kingdom, thereby supporting Saudi Arabia's role as one of the world's emerging tourism destinations.
- —Ten new hotels with over 1,300 rooms
- —Brand diversity from Luxury to Extended-Stay
- —6,000 new jobs, 60% for Saudi nationals
- —First hotel to open in Riyadh
