Culture meets comfort as Diriyah’s hotel expansion boosts Saudi Arabia’s tourism ambitions

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector is poised for a significant leap forward with the planned opening of new luxury hotels in Diriyah – a $62.2 billion mega-development that fuses the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage with ambitious modernity. 

In October, the CEO of Diriyah Co. unveiled plans for the groundbreaking of seven new hotels by the end of the year, to go alongside the first luxury offering, Bab Samhan, opening its doors in December.

As part of the Vision 2030 initiative, these developments are set to bolster Saudi Arabia’s position as a global tourist destination while driving economic growth and creating jobs.

Diriyah is set to play a key role in this ambition, with 33 million tourists expected in Riyadh as part of Vision 2030, including major events such as Expo, as well as sports, cultural, and business gatherings.

“The opening of additional uniquely themed hotels in Diriyah supports the Kingdom’s new ambition to welcome 150 million visitors by 2030, following the achievement of the previous target of 100 million visitors by 2023, which was reached seven years ahead of schedule,” Diriyah Co.’s group CEO, Jerry Inzerillo told Arab News.