Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Eastern Europe, will open four new hotels in Saudi Arabia in 2017 as it continues to look to markets in the GCC to drive business growth and expansion, the company’s chief operating officer Guy Hutchinson said in Jeddah on the sidelines of the Rotana Hotels 2017 GCC Roadshow.
All four of the upcoming Rotana properties in the Kingdom will be under the company’s affordable lifestyle hotel brand “Centro by Rotana.”
Centro Waha, Riyadh will open in the second quarter of this year and Centro Salama, Jeddah will open in the third quarter of this year, while the remaining two properties — Centro Olaya, Riyadh and Centro Corniche, Alkhobar — are set for a Q4 2017 opening. The projects represent a total investment of $130 million.
“Saudi Arabia is pivotal to Rotana’s expansion strategy for the region,” Hutchinson said. “Despite the knock-on effects of the oil price slide and the prevailing tough global economic environment on tourism spending, Saudi Arabia’s tourism and hospitality sector has shown remarkable resilience, thanks to the nation’s determined push toward economic diversification. The Saudi government recognizes the crucial role that tourism can play in driving the country’s economy away from oil dependency and achieving sustainable and inclusive growth, and is doing everything in its capacity to support the creation of a world-class tourism infrastructure to set the ground for future growth.”
He added: “Widening the accommodation choices for visitors by bringing more mid-market offerings to the market is vital to keeping Saudi Arabia on the fast track toward achieving its tourism goals. There is today an urgent need for more budget-friendly hotels in the Kingdom as travelers look for affordable accommodation that doesn’t compromise on comfort and convenience. Rotana is responding to these demands by bringing to Saudi Arabia an impressive collection of properties under our ‘Centro’ brand, which has redefined the rules of the mid-market game by combining world-class service and comfort in an affordable package.”
In addition to being one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing inbound tourism markets, Saudi Arabia is also a key driver of travel demand for Rotana hotels across the region.
“Saudi Arabia is the second largest feeder market for Rotana hotels in the region after Great Britain. We remain very optimistic on the Kingdom’s tourism sector and we expect occupancy rates at our hotels in 2017 to be in line with last year’s numbers,” Hutchinson said. “Rotana recognizes the catalytic potential of hospitality and tourism in helping Saudi Arabia usher in an era of diversified economic growth, and we are committed to supporting and contributing to the goals outlined in the Saudi Vision 2030 roadmap.”
Rotana announces $130 million investment, support for Vision 2030
Rotana announces $130 million investment, support for Vision 2030
Schneider Electric launches academy in Saudi Arabia to build future-ready talent
Schneider Electric has announced the launch of the Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa in Saudi Arabia, a regional capability platform dedicated to skilling, upskilling, and knowledge sharing.
The launch comes at a critical moment as the Kingdom accelerates energy transition, industrial localization, and human capability development under Vision 2030. The academy reinforces the Kingdom’s leadership role in building future-ready talent while supporting industrial and energy transformation across the wider Middle East and Africa region.
The Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa is not a traditional training center; it is a regional platform translating Schneider Electric’s global energy technology expertise into applied capability for Saudi Arabia and the broader region. Anchored in Riyadh, the academy is designed to serve as a benchmark for skills development and enablement across the MEA.
The launch reflects Schneider Electric’s long-term commitment to investing in people and capabilities, and to supporting national priorities across energy, industry, and digital infrastructure.
Mohamed Shaheen, cluster president of Schneider Electric Saudi Arabia and Yemen, said: “This launch reflects our long-term commitment to Saudi Arabia and to building capability that lasts. After more than 40 years in the Kingdom, we continue to invest where impact matters most: in people. Launching the Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa from Riyadh underscores our belief that sustainable transformation is built on local capability and trusted partnerships.”
The academy directly supports Saudi Arabia’s focus on human capability development, localization, and Saudi-made outcomes by enabling the skills behind advanced energy systems, industrial automation, and digital infrastructure. Capabilities developed through the academy will support Saudi manufacturing, national projects, and resilient supply chains, while also strengthening regional industrial ecosystems.
“The Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa is designed to enable real outcomes,” said Walid Sheta, zone president for the MEA at Schneider Electric. “By equipping talent with future-ready skills across electrification, automation, and digital intelligence, we are strengthening Saudi and regional capability to design, operate, and lead the energy and industrial systems of the future.”
The launch event in Riyadh brought together senior government representatives, industry partners, customers, and Schneider Electric’s leadership, highlighting the importance of cross-sector collaboration in aligning education, skills development, and labor market needs.
Designed as a long-term platform, the Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa will continue to evolve through partnerships, programs, and continuous capability development, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role as a regional hub for skills, knowledge, and industrial enablement.
