IHG to bring all six Luxury & Lifestyle brands to Saudi Arabia by 2028

IHG Hotels & Resorts plans to introduce all six of its Luxury & Lifestyle brands to Saudi Arabia by 2028, as the hospitality group expands its presence in one of its fastest-growing markets and supports the Kingdom’s tourism ambitions under Vision 2030.

The company said Saudi Arabia has become one of its most significant global markets, with 48 hotels currently in operation and a further 62 in the pipeline, as demand continues to grow across the luxury, business and leisure travel segments.

By 2028, all of IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle brands are expected to be operating in the Kingdom or under development, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as one of the group’s largest growth markets.

IHG entered Saudi Arabia in 1975 with the opening of InterContinental Riyadh and has since built one of its largest global development pipelines in the country.

The expansion comes as Saudi Arabia works towards its target of attracting 150 million visitors annually by 2030, with IHG growing its portfolio across its Luxury & Lifestyle, Premium, Essentials and Suites brands. The company said its Luxury & Lifestyle segment has become a key driver of growth, reflecting rising demand for experience-led and culturally connected hospitality.

Haitham Mattar, Managing Director for the Middle East, Africa and Southwest Asia at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said Saudi Arabia is one of the company’s most strategically important markets, with growing demand for distinctive luxury experiences that reflect local culture.

The expansion includes the recent opening of Kimpton KAFD Riyadh, marking the brand’s Middle East debut.

IHG is also advancing several luxury developments across the Kingdom, including Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea, which opened in 2023; Six Senses Amaala, scheduled to open in 2026; Six Senses AlUla, expected to open in 2027; Regent Jeddah Corniche, due to open in 2027 as both the brand’s Saudi Arabian and regional debut; and Hotel Indigo & Residences Al Khobar, expected to open in 2028 as the first Hotel Indigo property in the Kingdom.

According to the company, these projects form part of a broader strategy to introduce its global luxury brands to destinations experiencing rapid tourism growth and sustained investment.

Maher Abou Nasr, Managing Director for Saudi Arabia at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said the company’s expansion aligns with the Kingdom’s long-term tourism strategy and the growing demand for design-led, experience-focused hospitality.

IHG also highlighted the opening of its Riyadh office in 2023, which was established to support hotel owners, strengthen operational performance and deepen collaboration with public and private sector partners.