2024 Hotel & Hospitality Expo coincides with Saudi Arabia's booming hospitality sector, revenue to reach over $33 billion by 2028

Saudi Arabia is experiencing a tourism boom with the country expected to attract over 40 million visitors by 2030. Winning the Riyadh Expo 2030 bid has accelerated the growth and development of projects across the country. In fact, according to the latest CBRE Middle East Real Estate Market Review, key performance indicators (KPIs) for all major hospitality markets in Saudi Arabia have surpassed pre-pandemic levels. 

Taking place from 17 – 19 September 2024 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Centre, the 2024 Hotel & Hospitality Expo Saudi Arabia, organised by dmg events and KAOUN International, promises to cater to this rising demand for hotels and restaurants across the Kingdom.

“With the hospitality sector demonstrating robust growth in the second quarter of 2024, reflecting the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to enhance its tourism and travel industry, the Hotel & Hospitality Expo Saudi Arabia is the ideal meeting place for hospitality buyers to connect with the right suppliers for the growing number of projects in the Kingdom,” says Jasmeet Bakshi, Vice President of Design and Hospitality at dmg events.  

The Hotel & Hospitality Expo Saudi Arabia is the largest and most influential trade event in the Kingdom for hospitality professionals to source the latest innovations, network with experts, and gain contacts with key suppliers to help drive the business forward. 

“The growth in this year’s event can be attributed to the rise in support from many international brands, along with an increase of Saudi-based brands exhibiting at the show”, remarks Bakshi.  

Saudi Arabia is projected to have 320,000 new hotel rooms by 2030 across the country to accommodate an influx of 150 million domestic and international tourists annually, according to a new report. 

In fact, in the first half of 2023, tourism spending reached $23.2 billion (SAR 87 billion), a 132 percent increase over the same period in 2022. Over the same six-month period in 2024, the Kingdom recorded 14.6 million international arrivals - marking a 142 percent surge year-on-year - reflecting the strongest half-year performance for Saudi’s tourism industry on record.

Co-located with INDEX Saudi Arabia and the Lighting Design & Technology Expo, the event has doubled in size this year, making this the biggest edition to date, connecting manufacturers and suppliers in the hotel and hospitality industry with buyers within the Kingdom.

With over 750 exhibitors across all co-located events from over 45 exhibiting countries including Italy, Poland, Germany, UK, Portugal, Turkey, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Greece, the event this year is predicted to surpass the 23,000+ visitors from 2023.  

This year, as part of the Expo’s commitment to embracing growth and diversity, the Hotel & Hospitality Awards have evolved to reflect the industry's rapid growth and increased demand for talent, by encouraging entries from all residents of Saudi Arabia working in hospitality. This inclusive approach underscores their support for industry evolution and recognizes the contributions of every individual enriching the vibrant hospitality community. 

For the first time, these awards will also include a Hospitality Excellence Award, recognising the Saudi-based hotels and restaurants in Saudi Arabia that have gone the extra mile to create unique guest experiences. 

The Hospitality Leaders’ Summit 2024 promises to showcase Saudi Arabia's commitment to transforming its hospitality sector through innovative design and sustainable practices. The collaboration between Designsmith, known for its creative and functional stage designs, and OK Events, renowned for their expertise in event management and construction, will not only incorporate elements that reflect the Kingdom's rich architectural landscape but also reflect the modern urban planning principles seen in Saudi cities.

The design will include intricate geometric patterns and natural materials that echo traditional Saudi architecture, incorporating eco-friendly materials with advanced audiovisual technology, aligning with the Kingdom's goals for sustainable development and integrating technology to create immersive environments in the hospitality sector.

The event promises insightful topics delivered by over 60 thought leaders in hospitality as part of the Hospitality Leaders’ Summit.  Earlier in the year, key thought leaders from across all aspects of hospitality were united at an advisory board meeting to discuss key trends ranging from enhancing guest experiences to navigating the dynamic landscape of Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector.  This insightful gathering highlighted topical themes, aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, such as attracting private investments, implementing AI in hospitality, promoting taste tourism, localising sourcing, nurturing talent, adopting sustainable practices, and embracing emerging technologies, all of which formed the basis of topics that will be covered at the Hospitality Leaders’ Summit.  

Advisory board members for the Hospitality Leaders’ Summit comprised of all aspects of hospitality, including: Fawaz Al-Rraiji, CEO, PIF Projects, Naif Almadi, Chief Business Officer, Tourism Development Fund KSA, Oussama Kabbani, Group Chief Development Officer, ROSHN, Cyril Piaia, CEO, EMAAR Economic City - King Abdullah Economic City, Mohammed Marghalani, Chief of Franchised Assets Operations, Dan Company SA, Imran Changezi, Executive Director-Hospitality Development, Diriyah Company, Emma Banks, Vice President, F&B Strategy & Development EMEA, Hilton, Nadeem Zaman, Group Chief Strategy Officer, Rua Al Madinah, Kamel Ajami, VP Operations - Egypt, KSA and Levant (EKSAL), Hilton, Ahmed Hozaien, VP Saudi Arabia, Egypt & Bahrain, Marriott International, Nicolas Barrios, Middle East Regional Manager for Innovation, Education, and Investments, UNWTO, Alessandro Maria Tedesco, Chief Operating Officer, febc group, Maximilian Quack, Vice President- Hotels & Hospitality MEA, JLL, Mohamed Alathel, CEO, Amsa Hospitality and Jay Rosen, Managing Partner, Hikma Capital Partners. 

This year's event will feature live culinary experiences where top chefs from prominent Saudi Arabian hotels will compete against each other in the Mystery Box Challenge, demonstrating their exemplary cooking techniques, creativity, mastery, and culinary expertise.  Each team will prepare a three-course meal from a box of mystery ingredients. This feature is headed by Chef Yasser, President and Founder of Saudi Arabian Chefs Association and dmg events and will feature a selection of judges who will score teams based on presentation and taste. 

Lastly, don’t miss out on some of the key leading exhibiting brands at the event, including Pioneer,

Chalhoub Group, RAK Porcelain, Port Store, Karcher, Lutron, Steelite, Guest Supply, Egyptian Porcelain, Sealy, Linen Obsession, Assa Abloy, Sambonet, Kärcher and Sleep High.

Registration is open with free admission to trade and industry professionals over the age of 18. For more information visit: www.thehotelshowsaudiarabia.com 

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