Hotel101 Global, the Philippine-based hospitality brand known for its standardized “one-room” concept, has entered into a joint venture with Saudi Arabia’s Horizon Group to develop up to 10,000 hotel rooms across the Kingdom, in a deal estimated to be worth US$2.5 billion (₱137.5 billion).
The venture marks a major leap in Hotel101’s global rollout and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program, which aims to bolster tourism infrastructure as the Kingdom targets over 150 million visitors annually by the end of the decade.
“We are inspired by the leaders of Saudi Arabia and their sheer determination and willpower to make things happen,” said Edgar “Injap” Sia II, Founder of Hotel101 Global. “We believe the Hotel101 concept will be able to make a significant contribution to Vision 2030 and our broader goal of one million rooms worldwide.”
Five initial sites have been identified for development—Medina, Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, and AlUla—with each project expected to feature approximately 500 rooms.
Hotel101’s asset-light condotel model, which sells units to individual investors and offers standardized rooms to travelers, is positioned for rapid scale in emerging hospitality markets.
“This partnership combines Hotel101’s rapid-build and high-efficiency model with Horizon’s deep market knowledge,” said Horizon Group CEO Abdulrahman Sharbatly. “Together, we will add 10,000 affordable, quality rooms that will create Saudi jobs and support domestic and international tourism.”
Hotel101 CEO Hannah Yulo-Luccini said Saudi Arabia is one of 25 countries targeted for initial international expansion.
“We see tremendous opportunities in the Kingdom given the strong growth in both domestic and international tourism,” she said.
In 2023, Saudi Arabia recorded over 100 million total tourist visits, with total tourism spending reaching $67 billion, according to government data.
The Hotel101-Horizon venture aims to capture a significant share of that demand by offering reliable, value-driven accommodation tailored to pilgrims, tourists, and business travelers.
Horizon Group, backed by Alnahla Group and SAMACO, is a key player in Saudi Arabia’s hospitality and manufacturing sectors and actively supports projects aligned with Vision 2030.
Business News Asia