IHG Celebrates 50 Years in Saudi Arabia, Ushering in a New Era of Hospitality

IHG Hotels & Resorts has completed a remarkable milestone 50 years of operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. What began in 1975 with the opening of InterContinental Riyadh has evolved into one of the group’s largest and most influential footprints worldwide. The golden jubilee was celebrated at a special gathering at InterContinental Riyadh, acknowledging IHG’s sustained partnership and its deep-rooted contribution to Saudi Arabia’s tourism and hospitality sector.

Half a Century of Growth Aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Transformation

From a single landmark hotel, IHG has grown in tandem with the Kingdom’s rapid development. In 2025, the group crossed a major milestone more than 100 hotels open and in the pipeline across Saudi Arabia. This expansion reflects the strength of IHG’s partnerships, confidence in the Kingdom’s evolving tourism market, and alignment with the ambitions of Vision 2030.

IHG continues to strengthen its presence by enhancing its existing portfolio and expanding across multiple hospitality segments, including Luxury & Lifestyle, Premium, Essentials, and Suites.

Strengthening the Luxury & Lifestyle Landscape

IHG is investing in iconic properties such as the legendary InterContinental Riyadh, which is set for a major renovation. Alongside this, the group is expanding its Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio in Saudi Arabia with globally recognised brands such as:

Six Senses
Regent
Kimpton
Vignette Collection

The group is also growing its premium and lifestyle presence through popular brands including voco and EVEN Hotels, contributing to a diverse and modern hospitality offering across the Kingdom.

A Message from IHG’s Leadership

Haitham Mattar, Managing Director – Middle East, Africa & Southwest Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, expressed pride in the group’s journey: “Fifty years ago, our journey in Saudi Arabia began with a single hotel. Today, we are proud to be a long-term partner in a country that is redefining the global tourism map. Our growth is intentional and future-focused, with a portfolio that spans Luxury & Lifestyle, Premium and Essentials to serve the needs of modern travellers. Above all, we are committed to creating experiences that feel seamless, contemporary and rooted in Saudi culture. Guided by Vision 2030, we see our role as a catalyst for this new era of tourism, working closely with our owners, our teams and the Kingdom’s leadership to bring inspired hospitality to life.”

His statement highlights IHG’s commitment to creating experiences that are seamless, contemporary, and deeply rooted in Saudi culture.

Maher Abou Nasr, Managing Director – Saudi Arabia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, added: “It is a privilege to celebrate 50 years in the very place where our story in the Kingdom began. From that first InterContinental flag in Riyadh, we have grown with Saudi Arabia and today we are proud to have surpassed 100 hotels open and in the pipeline. Our focus now is on building what’s next – elevating our existing hotels, bringing world-class brands across segments, and ensuring our growth translates into lasting value for the Kingdom. At the heart of this journey is Saudi talent: nearly half of our workforce are Saudi nationals, and programmes such as ‘Masarona by IHG’ are helping them move faster into leadership. When our people succeed, our guests, owners and communities benefit – and that is how we will continue to support the Kingdom’s ambitions.”

He also emphasised the importance of Saudi talent, noting that nearly half of IHG’s workforce in the Kingdom are Saudi nationals.

A Dedicated Local Hub to Drive Strategic Growth

In 2023, IHG became the first global hotel group to establish a dedicated office in Riyadh. The office serves as a strategic hub for:

Partnering with hotel owners
Strengthening operational performance
Supporting government and private-sector stakeholders
Steering long-term investment and local engagement

This move reinforces IHG’s ambition to play a central role in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding tourism ecosystem.

Supporting Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s Tourism Ambitions

As Saudi Arabia works towards welcoming 150 million visitors by 2030, IHG is committed to contributing to:

Job creation and skill development
Economic diversification
Cultural and experiential tourism
Sustainable development in the hospitality sector

With an exciting pipeline of hotels underway, IHG aims to deliver experiences that are distinctly modern, culturally rich, and globally competitive powered by its strong brand ecosystem and the IHG One Rewards loyalty programme.