RIYADH: The Saudi Tourism Development Fund, the national enabler of the tourism sector, launched its participation in the “TOURISE 2025” forum by announcing a portfolio of strategic projects and partnerships with a total value of SR2.9 billion ($773.2 million).
This announcement reflects its role as an “Impactful Partner” of the forum and as an enabler for developing integrated destinations that enhance the diversity of the tourism experience in the Kingdom while supporting sustainable economic growth.
The announcement of the Aseer region projects was made under the patronage of the Governor of the Aseer Region and Chairman of the Board of the Aseer Development Authority, Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, and in the presence of the Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the TDF Board of Directors, Ahmed Al-Khateeb. The Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mashaiti, and the CEO of the TDF, Qusai bin Abdullah Al-Fakhri, were also present.
The fund announced five integrated tourism projects with a total of 1,211 hotel keys. These include: the “Jared Aseer” project, the “Ard Al Dabab” project, and the “Al-Hadhba Park” project, in addition to the “Westin Resort” project and “The House Residences” project.
Future projects also include the development of the Heefah and Jabal Abdullah areas under the “Mantis” hotel brand, as part of successive implementation phases, supporting the Aseer region development strategy aimed at enhancing its status as a leading year-round tourist destination.
The “Sareena” project was also announced in the presence of the Minister of Tourism, the Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the CEO of the TDF, and the Secretary of the Al-Baha Region, Ali bin Mohammed Al-Sawat.
This project focuses on developing tourism destinations based on nature hospitality experiences. It represents a new model for activating Saudi Arabia’s natural assets by linking tourist destinations with hospitality trails and experiences, contributing to stimulating tourist traffic and creating economic and developmental opportunities in the surrounding areas.
In the presence of the Minister of Tourism and TDF Board Chairman, the TDF CEO, along with executive leadership and development and investment leaders from partners, the fund announced memoranda of understanding to explore investment opportunities.
The first MoU is with Melia Hotels International, the largest hotel group in Spain, to develop approximately 1,000 hotel rooms and introduce new hotel brands to the Saudi market, including ZEL, contributing to diversifying hospitality options and enhancing destination appeal.
The second MoU is with ina Hospitality to develop diverse hospitality projects and introduce the Relais & Chateaux brand for the first time in the Kingdom, a step that enhances the diversity of hotel experiences and elevates the quality of hospitality services.
Additionally, an MoU was signed with the Italian company Arsenale to develop the “Dream of the Desert” project. This represents the company’s first international project and the first train of its kind in the Middle East, offering a luxury hotel travel experience extending over 1,300 km through 5 routes with stops at multiple tourist destinations to explore the diversity of Saudi nature and the richness of its cultural heritage.
With these announcements, the Tourism Development Fund solidifies its role in building strategic partnerships that contribute to developing integrated tourist destinations reflecting the Kingdom’s geographical and cultural diversity, while enhancing the sector’s readiness and its capacity to accommodate rapid growth.
Throughout the forum, the fund will continue to announce new partnerships that complement this path and reinforce the Kingdom’s position as a leading global destination for sustainable tourism.
