Future Hospitality Summit begins in Riyadh on May 24 to discuss ‘reimagined horizons’

The two-day event, to be held under the theme “Reimagined Horizons,” will see speakers discuss the future of hotel development, destination impact, aviation, sustainability, restaurant investment and human capital.
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Updated 24 May 2022
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Future Hospitality Summit begins in Riyadh on May 24 to discuss ‘reimagined horizons’

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will host the Future Hospitality Summit  in a new format this year on May 24 at the Riyadh Airport Marriott.

The two-day event, to be held under the theme “Reimagined Horizons,” will see speakers discuss the future of hotel development, destination impact, aviation, sustainability, restaurant investment and human capital, said a press release issued by the summit’s co-organizer, The Bench.


For more stories on Future Hospitality Summit please check our coverage page for the event


The summit will be attended by Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb and top people from the hospitality industry such as AIMS Hospitality CEO Muhammad Al-Amir; Emma Banks, vice president, F&B strategy and Development EMEA, Hilton; and Federico Gonzalez, CEO of Radisson Hotel Group.

FHS will feature a series of sessions covering topics such as the future of hotel asset management, the future of loyalty schemes, transparency and brand loyalty.

“Our focus will be on the future of our industry and delegates will have over 40 opportunities to deliberate, learn and network over two exciting days. With a range of different formats from main stage presentations, workshops and panel discussions to interviews, break-out sessions and networking opportunities, we look forward to facilitating ground-breaking conversations on what’s next for the hospitality industry,” said Jonathan Worsley, chairman of The Bench.

Saudi Arabia hosted the first FHS in October 2020, organized by the Ministry of Tourism and the G20 Saudi Secretariat, which was attended by more than 6,000 people from around the world.


Saudi PIF-backed Humain awards AI data center project to MIS 

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Saudi PIF-backed Humain awards AI data center project to MIS 

RIYADH: Humain, an artificial intelligence company backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has awarded Al Moammar Information Systems Co. a contract to design and build a data center dedicated to AI technologies. 

In a filing to Tadawul, MIS said the project’s value exceeds 155 percent of its total revenues for 2024. The company reported revenues of SR1.21 billion ($320 million) last year, implying a contract value of nearly SR1.88 billion. 

The development aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program, which aims to position the Kingdom as a regional technology hub by the end of the decade. 

The contract is expected to be signed on Feb. 15, 2026, and does not involve any related parties, according to the statement. MIS will design and construct a private AI-focused data center for Humain. 

Earlier this month, Saudi Telecom Co. signed an agreement with Humain to launch a joint venture to develop and operate data centers dedicated to artificial intelligence in the Kingdom. 

According to a Tadawul filing, Humain will hold a 51 percent stake in the joint venture, while stc will own the remaining 49 percent. 

The data center will be developed through stc’s subsidiary Digital Data and Communications Centers, also known as center3. 

The facility will feature advanced infrastructure capable of supporting up to 1 gigawatt of power, starting with an initial capacity of 250 megawatts, subject to customer demand. 

Saudi Arabia has been ramping up its AI ambitions. Earlier this month, the Saudi Press Agency, citing the Global AI Index, said the Kingdom ranked fifth globally and first in the Arab region for growth in the AI sector. 

The report said the ranking reflects the Kingdom’s progress in artificial intelligence and the success of its economic diversification strategy under Vision 2030. 

Separately, MIS said on Dec. 24 that it signed a SR114.43 million contract with the Saudi Central Bank to renew IT systems support licenses. The 36-month agreement covers license renewals and ongoing support, with the financial impact expected to be reflected in the company’s fourth-quarter results.