IHG HOTELS & RESORTS SIGNS MOU WITH THE SAUDI TOURISM AUTHORITY TO ACCELERATE GROWTH OF TOURISM SECTOR IN THE KINGDOM (Saudi Arabia)
IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies with more than 6,000 hotels, across 18 distinct brands, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) at the Arabian Travel Market 2023. |
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IHG HOTELS & RESORTS SIGNS MOU WITH THE SAUDI TOURISM AUTHORITY TO ACCELERATE GROWTH OF TOURISM SECTOR IN THE KINGDOM (Saudi Arabia)
IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies with more than 6,000 hotels, across 18 distinct brands, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) at the Arabian Travel Market 2023. |
Category: Middle East - Saudi Arabia - Industry economy
- Tourism
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2023-05-03
The MOU provides a framework for both entities to explore methods to increase inbound visitation to Saudi Arabia from key markets across the Middle East and Africa region.
This includes developing customised promotions, joint marketing campaigns, and promotion through loyalty programs which will showcase Saudi Arabia as one of the world’s most exciting destination to an international audience.
The MOU was signed at the Saudi pavilion at the Arabian Travel Market 2023 held in Dubai, by James Britchford, Vice President Commercial at IHG for India, Middle East and Africa, and Munirah Abanomy, Head of Marketing Partnership for Middle East & Africaat Saudi Tourism Authority.
With Saudi Arabia targeting 100 million visitors by 2030, the Kingdom is a priority market for IHG Hotels & Resorts in the Middle East.
The hospitality group aims to support the tourism sector in the country by growing the footprint of its existing brands, as well as introducing new brands from its global portfolio, in addition to running campaigns to promote various destinations within the country.
IHG also plans to further support the Kingdom’s economic Vision by investing in developing Saudi talent in the Kingdom, with an ambition to hire 6,000 nationals across it’s growing portfolio by 2030.
James Britchford, Vice President, Commercial, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts said: “As a reflection of our commitment to support the growth of the tourism industry within the Kingdom, we are delighted to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Saudi Tourism Authority. Collaborations with key government entities, such as the STA, enable us to position and promote attractive destinations and exciting tourism offerings that the country has developed, to our guests across markets.”
Abdulkarim Aldarwish - President of Middle East & Africa Markets at the Saudi Tourism Authority, commented: “Signing of an MOU with IHG comes within the framework of the Saudi Tourism Authority’s keenness to strengthen strategic partnerships with major international companies and prestigious brands with global reach. Such partnerships enhance the efforts of the Saudi Tourism Authority in attracting tourists and enriching their experience by providing best-in-class products, offers and packages.”
To expand its presence in key cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah, Makkah, Dammam, Al Khobar and Mega projects, IHG Hotels & Resorts is positioned to add over 10,000 additional rooms to its portfolio in the next 2–3 years.
This is set to significantly boost the tourism infrastructure in the country and provide a diverse range of accommodation options — across luxury, leisure, religious and business tourism.
IHG Hotels & Resorts currently operates 37 hotels across five brands in Saudi Arabia, including: InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites, and voco, with 31 hotels in the development pipeline set to open within the next three to five years.
About IHG
IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.
With a family of 18 hotel brands and IHG One Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,000 open hotels in over 100 countries, and more than 1,800 in the development pipeline.
- Luxury & Lifestyle: Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo
- Premium: voco hotels, HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, EVEN Hotels
- Essentials: Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, avid hotels
- Suites: Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Candlewood Suites
- Exclusive Partners: Iberostar Beachfront Resorts
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 345,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.
Visit us online for more about our hotels and reservations and IHG One Rewards. To download the new IHG One Rewards app, visit the Apple App or Google Play stores.
About Saudi Tourism Authority (STA)
STA was established in 2020 to support the growth of the travel and tourism sector by serving the needs of tourism companies and commercial partners. It is responsible for tourism marketing of Saudi regionally and globally. It is also responsible for developing the tourist experience, tourism products and packages. As well as supporting and activating the role of the private sector, participating in exhibitions and conferences at local and international domains. It has 16 representative offices covering 38 countries around the world. STA manages the official identity of Saudi tourism, "Visit Saudi."
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