The FHS Saudi Arabia Advisory Board convened in Riyadh yesterday to discuss and shape next year’s event programme
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Saudi Arabia – the Kingdom’s most influential hospitality investment conference – is set to return to the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah in Riyadh from 14-16 April 2025 after another record-breaking 2024 edition which saw USD$ 1.1 billion in business opportunities and over 1,400 industry leaders in attendance.
Under the theme “Where Vision Shapes Opportunity,” FHS Saudi Arabia will unite hospitality leaders and decision-makers to discuss hotel performance and development, the outlook for hospitality investment in the Kingdom and the key market trends driving the sector, aiming for actionable outcomes that will transform the industry, which continues to witness unprecedented growth.
According to data from Knight Frank, total GDP contribution by Saudi Tourism will reach (12.3%) 498 billion SAR in 2024, set to further increase to (15.9%) 836 billion SAR by 2034. The travel and tourism industry is poised to contribute 2.67 million jobs by the end of the year, set to increase to 3.63 million jobs by 2034.
The total value of real estate and infrastructure projects unveiled in Saudi Arabia is USD 1.3 trillion. There are currently 1,048,000 residential units under planning and development stage with 362,000 hotel keys under development.
The FHS Saudi Arabia Advisory Board met in Riyadh yesterday to discuss and shape next year’s event programme. The Advisory Board comprises some of the industry’s most prominent leaders including Sultan Bader Al-Otaibi, Chief Executive Officer, Taiba Investments; Irfan Said, AGM – Corporate Finance and Institutional Banking, AlRajhi Bank; Muhammad Wajeeh Sharbatly, Member of Management Board | CEO, AlNahla Group; Philip Jones, Senior Vice President Operations, Middle East & Africa – Premium, Midscale & Economy Brands, Accor; Mohammad Alathel, Managing Director, AMSA Hospitality; Mae Al Mozaini, Founder & CEO, The Arab Institute for Women’s Empowerment – Nusf; Glenn Mandziuk, Chief Executive Officer, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance; Salman Navaz, Real Estate Investment Director, Lesha Bank; Dr. Abeer A. Alamri, The Quality and Evaluation Expert, Ministry of Tourism; Ashraf Qasem, Chief Hospitality Officer, Al Othaim, and Tatiana Labaki, Director Innovation & Technology at Hotel Division, NEOM.
Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench, said: “Yesterday’s Advisory Board meeting in Riyadh was a resounding success and we were privileged to have some of the sharpest minds in the industry in the room together to help steer next year’s conference programme.”
“We’re also thrilled to announce the launch of the Education Investment Forum, co-located with FHS Saudi Arabia, a brand new, first-of-its-kind event that will look at the key challenges and opportunities when it comes to the value of investment in hospitality education to develop the next generation of hospitality leaders. Amongst others, we will explore the development of career pathways in luxury and high-end hospitality and integrating design into hospitality education.”
Launched in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s G20 Secretariat in 2020, Future Hospitality Summit has tripled its attendance numbers since 2022.
“We are delighted to welcome back what has become one of the most anticipated industry events in the region to our home here in Riyadh. We look forward to continue our partnership with The Bench again as Host Sponsors of FHS Saudi Arabia and welcoming the hospitality investment community back at Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh,” said Khalid Saud Abu Haimed, Chief Executive Officer, Al Khozama Investment.
