Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: IHG Hotels & Resorts is expanding its footprint in Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom’s tourism and hospitality sector continues to grow rapidly under Vision 2030, according to Elie Maalouf, the Group’s CEO.

On the sidelines of the Future Investment Initiative, Maalouf told Al Arabiya Business said IHG is celebrating 50 years in Saudi Arabia since opening the InterContinental Riyadh, the first international hotel in the country. Today, IHG operates 46 hotels in the Kingdom and has 60 more under development, a total of more than 100 hotels.

He added that the company plans to grow by another 50% in the next five years and expects to double its presence in the next decade, surpassing 200 hotels across the country.

Maalouf noted that Saudi Arabia’s travel market is expanding, driven by a population of over 30 million — most of whom are middle class — and increasing numbers of domestic and international visitors.

He further added that hotel demand is not only linked to major events like the World Cup or Asian Games but also to rising domestic travel in cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah where IHG is already the largest hotel operator and aims to further strengthen its presence.

Looking ahead, Maalouf said IHG will continue focusing on luxury developments while expanding midscale offerings over the next decade to meet the expectations of Saudi travelers seeking quality experiences within the Kingdom.

He also confirmed that IHG is working closely with the Saudi Ministry of Tourism on projects ranging from beach resorts to urban and mountain destinations, encouraging Saudis to spend their holidays locally and contributing to the national economy.