Saudia taps Accenture to transform guest experience

This agreement will include several tracks to enhance Saudia’s guest value and help deliver the company’s strategic objectives. It will enable guests to enjoy more personalized services.
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Updated 24 May 2023
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Saudia taps Accenture to transform guest experience

Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has signed an agreement with global professional services firm Accenture, paving the way for a digital transformation program that will make the airline’s guest experience seamless and highly personalized while improving operational efficiency.

Through this agreement, Saudia will use artificial intelligence technologies to significantly enhance its digital infrastructure and build more than 260 new digital and electronic services in two years. Saudia’s guests will be able to enjoy more personalized services and a smooth travel experience across the entire travel cycle, from ticket search and booking to check-in, and from in-flight services to post-sale support. 

All the digital systems developed by Accenture will be designed specifically for Saudia, increasing operational efficiency and reducing operational costs, thanks to a new enterprise-wide cloud-based data foundation.

This agreement will include several tracks to enhance Saudia’s guest value and help deliver the company’s strategic objectives. Specific initiatives will include a digital experience studio, digital infrastructure decoupling that accelerates and de-risks digital transformation processes, modernization of technical systems, creation of a cloud data lake, and development of a smart guest care center.

“Saudia is looking to reimagine how our guests can choose, buy and enjoy leisure, business and religious experiences,” said Dr. Khaled Alhazmi, vice president of operations and IT support, Saudia. “With Accenture’s support, we will create seamless and curated journeys with hyper-relevant experiences across digital and human-driven interactions. Guests will be able to modify flights, purchase transit eVisas, and enjoy new self-service features across all digital channels.” 

“Through this strategic collaboration, our primary aim is to enable Saudia to tap into the combined power of digital, cloud and data, laying a strong foundation for continued innovation,” said Gerardo Canta, senior managing director at Accenture. “We are honored to be working with Saudia to achieve its vision of creating a seamless, exceptional travel experience for its customers.” 

Established in 1945, Saudia is one of the Middle East’s largest airlines. It is a member of the International Air Transport Association and the Arab Air Carriers Organization. It has been one of the 19 member airlines of the SkyTeam alliance since 2012. 

Saudia has received many prestigious industry awards and recognitions. Most recently, it was ranked a Global Five-Star Major Airline by the Airline Passenger Experience Association, and the carrier was awarded the Diamond status by APEX Health Safety.


Saudi Arabia world’s safest and most attractive investment destination, says chairman of Sumou Holding

Updated 09 March 2026
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Saudi Arabia world’s safest and most attractive investment destination, says chairman of Sumou Holding

Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of the world’s safest and most attractive destinations for investment, supported by the strength and resilience of its economy, according to Ayed bin Farhan Al-Qahtani, chairman of Sumou Holding.

Al-Qahtani said the Kingdom’s economy has consistently demonstrated its ability to navigate global and regional crises. He noted that Saudi Arabia has historically adapted to challenging conditions and emerged stronger, thanks to prudent economic policies and effective governance, both of which have reinforced the market’s financial strength. Al-Qahtani added that Saudi Vision 2030 has reshaped the structure of the national economy by diversifying income sources and leveraging the country’s core strengths, creating a more flexible and sustainable economic environment capable of withstanding global volatility.

According to Al-Qahtani, business activity across Saudi Arabia continues to operate normally despite current global uncertainties, highlighting the adaptability and experience of Saudi companies across multiple sectors.

Sumou Holding currently manages an investment portfolio valued at about $10 billion. Al-Qahtani said that the group plans to expand its investments in the Kingdom while seeking to attract additional foreign capital through international partnerships and joint ventures.

The company is evaluating a range of new opportunities across key sectors and particularly in real estate, which Al-Qahtani described as one of the most secure and attractive investment sectors in the Saudi market amid rising demand for residential, commercial, and development projects.

Saudi Arabia’s property market has also undergone significant regulatory reforms aimed at boosting its appeal to international investors. A new foreign property ownership law, which came into effect in early 2026, allows non-Saudis — individuals and companies, residents and non-residents — to own residential, commercial, and agricultural properties across designated areas of the Kingdom.

The framework will increase capital inflows into the real estate sector while introducing specific ownership rules for the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, two markets Al-Qahtani said remain among the most secure and globally attractive for long-term investment.

Sumou Holding owns two companies listed on the Saudi Exchange: Sumou Real Estate Co. and Ader Real Estate Co.

Al-Qahtani added that the group’s international arm, Ader Global, is building partnerships with global investors and directing capital toward promising opportunities in the Saudi market, reinforcing the Kingdom’s role as a regional hub for investment and multinational companies.

With its strong regulatory framework, investment security, and continued government support for the private sector, Saudi Arabia is well positioned to attract further foreign capital in the coming years, Al-Qahtani said, cementing the country’s status as a leading global investment destination both today and in the future.