Marriott’s Giga-Resort in Saudi Arabia Banking on Cash-Rich Locals

Key Points

• Marriott and IHG are the first hotel operators in Saudi Arabia's $50 billion Red Sea giga-project, with Marriott's St. Regis opening soon.
• Marriott's St. Regis Red Sea Resort and IHG's Six Senses hotel are among the most expensive in Saudi Arabia, with nightly rates over $1,600.
• The Red Sea International Airport will initially serve domestic flights, with international flights starting in 2024, first connecting to Dubai.

Summary

Marriott is leading the charge in Saudi Arabia's luxury hotel market with its new St. Regis Red Sea Resort, part of the kingdom's ambitious $50 billion Red Sea giga-project. The resort, which opens in late 2023, will be one of the country's priciest, with rates starting at $1,600 per night. Alongside IHG's Six Senses, these hotels aim to attract affluent locals and international tourists. Despite high costs and the absence of alcohol, the resorts promise a new era of Saudi tourism, supported by the upcoming Red Sea International Airport, which will begin international operations in 2024.