Partnership Overview

Philippine hospitality firm Hotel101 Global recently signed a joint venture partnership with Horizon Group as the main partner for its expansion into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The company aims to introduce the rapidly growing Hotel101 brand and develop up to 10,000 rooms, translating to an expected project value of about US$2.5 billion.

Five initial locations have already been identified, with the first planned in Medina, followed by Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, and Alula.

Leadership Insights

Hotel101 Global founder Edgar “Injap” Sia II stated: “We are inspired by the leaders of Saudi Arabia and their sheer determination and will power to make things happen. We believe in the plans they have laid out for the region, and we trust the Hotel101 concept will significantly contribute to complementing the 2030 Vision for the Kingdom.”

Hotel 101 Chief Executive Hannah Yulo-Luccini added: “We are fortunate to have found the right local partners to expand the Hotel101 brand in Saudi Arabia, identified as one of 25 countries for initial growth. We see tremendous opportunities for Hotel101 in Saudi Arabia due to its high growth in both domestic and international tourism.”

Horizon Group Chief Executive Abdulrahman Sharbatly commented: “With Hotel 101’s rapid-build model and Horizon’s local know-how, we will add 10,000 quality, affordable rooms throughout the Kingdom, supporting Vision 2030 and expanding options for tourists and pilgrims alike.”

Market Potential

Hotel101 recognizes the strategic opportunities presented by the Saudi market and its Vision 2030 plan. The brand is committed to rolling out an offering averaging 500 rooms per site to meet the evolving demands of the Saudi market.

In 2023, Saudi Arabia welcomed 27 million international tourists and 79 million domestic tourists. This robust tourism sector generated a total spend of USD 67 billion. The goal is to exceed 150 million tourists by 2030, creating significant opportunities in infrastructure and support services.