Hyatt announced today at the annual Arabian Travel Market (ATM) exhibition in Dubai that it’s development plans for major properties in Saudi Arabia are progressing as anticipated, with two new properties expected to open in the next one year – Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya and Hyatt Regency Mecca – as tourism in the country continues to surge.
According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, the Kingdom saw a 14 percent growth in tourism last year, the fifth best performer globally, with tourism growing to become the country’s second largest industry to employ Saudi nationals.
“Inbound tourism is mostly for business and religious reasons. With a lot of new projects happening in Saudi Arabia, such as construction of new centres, infrastructure and expansion to the holy sites in Mecca, the demand in the luxury market in the Kingdom continues to surge in tandem with this internal growth,” said Tareq Daoud, Regional Vice President Global Sales – Middle East, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Southwest Asia.
According to a recent report by international industry consultant Business Monitor International, the number of tourists heading to the Kingdom is expected to reach nearly 16 million by 2014, dominated by religious and business travellers.
According to figures released by the Central Department of Statistics and Information, more than three million pilgrims visited the Saudi Arabia during this year’s hajj.
Hyatt Regency Riyadh will offer 257 guestrooms, including 37 suites, which will range in size from 322 sq ft (30 sq m) to 2,475 sq ft (230 sq m). The hotel will also offer a lobby lounge, two restaurants, a Regency Club lounge, more than 5,900 sq ft (550 sq m) of ballroom and event space, and a number of small meeting rooms. Additional hotel amenities include a male spa with six treatment rooms, a 2,300 sq ft (220 sq m) male and female fitness centre, and pool. The hotel is designed by Erga and ONG&ONG is designing the hotel’s interiors.
Hyatt Regency Mecca will offer 628 guestrooms, in addition to meeting facilities, several dining venues, a Regency Club lounge, a spa and fitness centre, and 24-hour in room dining.
SAUDI ARABIA PIPELINE
Park Hyatt Riyadh, currently slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2015, will be a stand-alone building located on King Fahd Road in the Olaya District in the city of Riyadh, situated near the Kingdom Centre and the Al Faisaliah Tower. The 275-room hotel, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM), will have 50 suites, as well as three restaurants, a lounge, 1,450 square meters of meeting and event space, including a 1,000 square meter ballroom, and a spa and fitness centre.
Grand Hyatt Jeddah, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM), with 400-rooms, including 48 suites, will be located in the centre of the city of Jeddah, on the corner of Corniche Road and Al Amir Naif Street with views of the Red Sea. The hotel, which is expected to open in early 2016, will feature three restaurants, a lobby lounge, and a Grand Club Lounge. In addition, the hotel will have 5,700 square meters of meeting and event space, including grand and junior ballrooms. The hotel will also have a spa and fitness centre.
Hyatt Regency Jeddah, with 240-rooms, including 30 suites, will be located on Tahliyah Street in the centre of Jeddah, near Tahliyah Square and close to Malek Road and North Corniche Road. The hotel, which is expected to open in the second half of 2015, will feature three restaurants, a lobby lounge, and a Regency Club lounge. In addition, the hotel will have 1,700 square meters of meeting and event space, including a ballroom and boardroom, as well as a spa and fitness centre.
Hyatt Place Mecca and Hyatt House Mecca, both slated to open in 2014, will each offer 200 guestrooms, meeting facilities, several food and beverage outlets, men’s and women’s fitness centres, and a prayer room.
Hyatt is taking part in ATM Dubai from 6 to 9 May 2013, located at HC 5450 in Sheikh Saeed Arena Hall.
