Accor operates a diverse portfolio of 13 brands across Saudi Arabia, covering luxury, premium, midscale, and economy segments. Notable brands include ibis, Novotel, Adagio, Mercure, Mövenpick, Swissotel, Pullman, Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Banyan Tree, and others, establishing its dominance as a premier hospitality provider with a broad range of services and experiences.
In the Holy Cities, Accor has established a robust presence with 13 properties offering varied accommodation options. These include Swissôtel Makkah, Raffles Makkah Palace, and Pullman ZamZam Makkah, among others. New additions such as Mercure Makkah Al Aziziya and upcoming properties like Fairmont Rua Madinah enhance Accor’s offerings, ensuring top-notch hospitality for pilgrims and visitors.
Recently, Accor expanded its footprint in the branded residences sector with the launch of Accor One Living. The company’s presence includes Swissôtel Living Jeddah and Adagio Jeddah City Centre, with upcoming projects like Novotel Residences Makkah. Accor’s strategy aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s national goals, penetrating both key and emerging destinations like The Red Sea, AlUla, and NEOM. Planned launches include luxury brands like Raffles and Faena in strategic developments such as the Diriyah Gate.
With a 30-year history in Saudi Arabia, Accor’s strategy encompasses expanding into second-wave cities through a franchise partnership with AMSA Hospitality, aiming to develop 18 properties across cities like Ha’il and Jubail over the next decade.
Agnès Roquefort, Global Chief Development Officer, Luxury & Lifestyle Division, Accor shared, “At Accor, we continue to explore the vast potential for luxury and lifestyle brands in Saudi Arabia, aligning with Vision 2030. We are strategically diversifying our offerings to cater to various traveller preferences, from high-end luxury experiences to vibrant lifestyle concepts. By offering a diverse range of experiences, we aim to not only meet but exceed the expectations of our guests, while contributing to the growth and development of the Saudi hospitality sector.”
In 2024, Accor plans to unveil several new properties, adding over 635 rooms in various segments, including luxury and lifestyle properties like Sofitel Riyadh and Rixos Obhur Jeddah by Ennismore. Additionally, Accor’s partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Tourism focuses on nurturing local talent through initiatives like the ‘Tamayyaz by Accor’ program, which aims to elevate hospitality standards and offer career paths to Saudi graduates.
Duncan O’Rourke, Chief Executive Officer, Premium, Midscale & Economy Division for Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific at Accor commented, “As we continue to drive growth and innovation in Saudi Arabia, we draw upon over 30 years of presence in the Kingdom. Our expansion underscores our enduring commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality experiences while supporting the realization of Vision 2030’s ambitious objectives. Through our compelling brands and strategic alliances, we are poised to shape the future of hospitality in Saudi Arabia and beyond. Together, we are not just building hotels; we are contributing to the growth of local communities.”
With 41 properties currently and plans to add over 45 hotels by 2030, Accor’s robust development pipeline and deep commitment to the Saudi market reinforce its leadership role in advancing the hospitality sector.
Tags: Duncan O’Rourke, Agnès Roquefort, Accor, Saudi Arabia, Holy Cities, Hospitality Industry, Hotel Expansion, luxury travel, Saudi Arabia Hotel
