IHG Completes 50-Year Journey in Saudi Arabia
IHG Hotels & Resorts has celebrated 50 years of operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, starting with the opening of the InterContinental Riyadh in 1975. This milestone, recognized during a gathering at the InterContinental Riyadh, highlights IHG’s long-standing presence in the country and its continued commitment to supporting the development of Saudi Arabia’s tourism and hospitality sector.
Since its first property, IHG has continued to expand in line with the Kingdom’s growth. In 2025, the Group exceeded 100 hotels open and in the pipeline across Saudi Arabia, supported by strong partnerships, market confidence, and alignment with Vision 2030 goals.
IHG is strengthening its footprint across the Kingdom by enhancing its existing portfolio and introducing new options across Luxury & Lifestyle, Premium, Essentials and Suites. This includes planned renovation work at InterContinental Riyadh and new properties such as InterContinental Red Sea Resort. The Group has also grown its Luxury & Lifestyle presence with Six Senses, Regent, Kimpton, and Vignette Collection, alongside premium and lifestyle brands such as voco and EVEN Hotels.
Haitham Mattar, Managing Director – Middle East, Africa & Southwest Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “Fifty years ago, our journey in Saudi Arabia began with a single hotel. Today, we continue to be a long-term partner in a country that is reshaping its tourism landscape. Our portfolio spans multiple segments to meet the needs of modern travellers, and we remain committed to offering hospitality that reflects the local culture. Guided by Vision 2030, we look forward to working closely with our owners, teams and the Kingdom’s leadership as tourism continues to evolve.”
In 2023, IHG established a dedicated Riyadh office—the first of its kind in the Kingdom by a global hotel group—creating a central base to support long-term growth, work with owners, and engage with public and private-sector stakeholders.
Maher Abou Nasr, Managing Director – Saudi Arabia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, added: “It is an important moment to recognise 50 years in the location where our journey in the Kingdom began. From that starting point in Riyadh, we have expanded with the country and now have more than 100 hotels open and in development. Our focus is on strengthening our current portfolio, introducing new brands, and ensuring our growth contributes to the Kingdom’s wider objectives. Saudi talent remains central to this progress, with nearly half of our workforce made up of Saudi nationals, supported by programmes such as ‘Masarona by IHG’ that help develop future leaders.”
IHG reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s tourism plans through employment, skills development and diversified economic growth, as the Kingdom progresses toward its target of 150 million visitors by 2030.
Looking ahead, IHG will continue to enhance the guest experience, expand into new and established destinations, and collaborate with stakeholders to contribute to a sustainable, competitive tourism sector across Saudi Arabia.
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