Blacksand & Marriott to Develop ten Hotels in Saudi Arabia.

An important milestone in the Kingdom’s growing hospitality industry has been reached with the signing of an agreement by Marriott International and Blacksand to build ten hotels throughout Saudi Arabia over the next four years. The multi-brand collaboration, which was unveiled at the Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, will boost the nation’s tourist and urban development goals by adding over 1,300 rooms.

A long-term partnership between the two businesses is established under the agreement, and properties from Marriott International’s luxury, premium, select-service, and extended-stay portfolio will be developed. St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Hotels, Autograph Collection, Moxy Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, and Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy are among the brands in the pipeline.

With progressive openings planned until 2030, the projects are presently in the design planning and early construction phases. The first hotel is anticipated to open in Riyadh, and more establishments are planned in a number of the Kingdom’s cities.

Over 6,000 full-time employment are anticipated to be created by the improvements, with at least 60% of those jobs going to Saudi citizens.

Blacksand CEO Omar Alabdullatif stated,  “This agreement marks a defining milestone for Blacksand and reflects the scale of our ambition. Our partnership with Marriott International unites well-known brands with a common goal of developing outstanding hospitality services throughout the Kingdom. We are honoured to be there, setting the standard for quality, experience, and long-term value in an agreement of this magnitude that helps shape the future of an already aspirational country.”

“This historic agreement with Blacksand reflects Marriott’s continued focus on diversifying our portfolio across Saudi Arabia to deliver meaningful hospitality experiences in line with the country’s tourism priorities. We look forward to launching a variety of experiences designed to satisfy the changing demands of visitors to the Kingdom, from immersive resort getaways and design-led stays to lively social centers and extended-stay residences,” continued Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International.