Hotel101 Global, a fast-growing Philippine hospitality firm, has announced a significant joint venture partnership with Saudi Arabia-based Horizon Group to establish its presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The collaboration marks a major step in Hotel101 Global’s international expansion strategy, with plans to develop up to 10,000 hotel rooms across key cities in the country. The estimated project value stands at a substantial US$2.5 billion.
As part of the initial phase, five prime locations have been identified for the Hotel101 developments—Medina, Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, and AlUla. The first project is expected to launch in Medina, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to boost tourism and diversify the Kingdom’s economy.
Edgar “Injap” Sia II, founder of Hotel101 Global, expressed admiration for Saudi leadership, stating, “We are inspired by the leaders of Saudi Arabia and their sheer determination to make things happen. We believe the Hotel101 concept will significantly contribute to the Kingdom’s hospitality sector and support the Vision 2030 goals.” He emphasized that the Saudi expansion forms part of Hotel101 Global’s broader mission to develop one million rooms worldwide.
Hotel101 Chief Executive Officer Hannah Yulo-Luccini also highlighted the strategic value of the partnership, noting, “We feel very fortunate to have found the right local partners to rapidly expand the Hotel101 brand in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom is among the 25 countries identified for our initial international rollout, and we see tremendous opportunity in its growing tourism market.”
Echoing this sentiment, Horizon Group CEO Abdulrahman Sharbatly said, “With Hotel101’s rapid-build model and Horizon’s local expertise, we aim to add 10,000 quality, affordable rooms across Saudi Arabia. This initiative will support Vision 2030 by creating Saudi jobs and expanding accommodation options for pilgrims, tourists, and business travelers.”
