Hilton Worldwide Holdings aims to open more than 60 hotels in Saudi over the coming three to five years, aiming to build a portfolio of 85 active properties by 2028, Carlos Khneisser, vice president of development for Hilton in the Middle East and Africa, told Al Arabiya.

Saudi is a key global growth market for Hilton, which Khneisser says has already inked agreements to manage properties in Riyadh, Abha, and Jeddah. Hilton has more ongoing projects here than it does in any other EMEA market and is the fourth-busiest territory for Hilton globally.

That’s on the order of 10 properties more than Hilton had previously telegraphed. The operator had said earlier this year that it was looking to open 50 new properties here for 10 of its brands.

Some of that pipeline is already visible: The Conrad Riyadh Laysen Valley will be the Conrad brand’s first appearance in the capital city when it opens in 2025, while both the Hilton Hotels and Resorts and Canopy by Hilton brands will roll out in Abha in 2026.

REMEMBER- We’re just getting started in tourism. The expansion comes as the Kingdom aims to become a global leader in international travel and tourism. The Tourism Ministry has recently updated its target for total annual tourist trips to 150 mn by 2030, with an equal split between domestic and international travelers, according to earlier statements by Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb. The ministry wants to see the industry account for 10% of GDP by 2030.

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