The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) returns to Saudi Arabia

Riyadh, April 2024. The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) returns to Saudi Arabia next week, bringing together government leaders, hospitality investors, owners, and operators for the region’s largest, most influential hospitality investment event, taking place at the Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh from 29 April to 1 May.

FHS Saudi Arabia 2024 will address the Kingdom’s latest developments and the industry’s hottest topics under the theme “Invest in Tomorrow: Today, Together,” with conference tracks focused on hospitality investment, industry entrepreneurship, sustainable development, and human capital.

Following welcome remarks by Khalid Saud Abu Haimed, Chief Executive Officer, Al Khozama Investment Company, the conference programme will kick off with a keynote presentation by Mahmoud Abdulhadi, Deputy Minister, Destination Enablement, Ministry of Tourism Saudi Arabia on the investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s investment sector in alignment with Vision 2023, which is followed by an on-stage interview with Her Excellency Gloria Guevara Manzo, Chief Special Advisor, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, in conversation with Reina Tekla, Business Editor, Arab News, on the power of tourism and Saudi Arabia’s global standing.

Ahead of next week’s event, Mahmoud Abdulhadi, Deputy Minister, Destination Enablement, Ministry of Tourism Saudi Arabia, said: “Since the introduction of the e-visa in 2019, Saudi is already welcoming 100 million tourists annually – a powerful testament to the potential that has yet to be tapped. To enable investors prosper, we have introduced the Tourism Investment Enablers Program to make investing more seamless and cost-friendly, marking a significant step towards building a global tourism powerhouse.”

“The Tourism Investment Enablers Program (TIEP) is designed to enable investors, reducing government fees by 22%, further fee reductions, and making the investor journey even more seamless with launch of the One Stop Shop.

The hospitality sector, however, is at the heart of the program with the Hospitality Investment Enablers initiative aiming to incentivize investors and make key destinations in Saudi even more competitive. The initiative is expected to attract SAR 42 billion in private sector investment and add 120,000 jobs in those destinations to meet the demand of 500,000 hotel keys by 2030, he added.”

 Organised by The Bench with the support of host sponsors Al Khozama Investments and the Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Hotel, FHS Saudi Arabia features a stellar speaker line-up and action-packed agenda comprising a wide range of formats, ranging from engaging presentations, panel discussions and fireside chats to case studies, keynotes and workshops. In addition, delegates have the opporutnity to immerse themselves in a host of carefully curated networking activties and event experiences.

Presented by Host Sponsor Al Khozama and taking place at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh, the ‘FHS Opening Reception on the Green with Maiz’ will offer an unparalleled evening of elegance, sophistication, and opportunities to network with industry peers and partners.

“As hosts of the Future Hospitality Summit, we extend a warm welcome to all attendees to join us for an unforgettable Welcome Networking Reception. This gathering promises to be an evening of inspiration, collaboration, and innovation as we bring together the brightest minds in the hospitality industry,” said Khalid Saud Abu Haimed, Chief Executive Officer of Al Khozama Investments. “Let's embark on this journey together, forging connections that will shape the future of hospitality and propel this industry to new heights.”

Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia highlights include:

The Power of AI

Technology will be a key focus at FHS again this year, with industry leaders discussing the future of AI and the Metaverse in hospitality, the intersection of AI, IT, and the human touch for guest experiences, as well as tech stack investment tips for owners and operators.

Unique this year is the Fireside Chat with Humanoid Robot Lead Vocalist of the Desdemona Dream Band, Desdemona (Desi) and Janet Adams, Chief Operating Officer, SingularityNET, moderated by Ali Shahid, Marketing Director, The Bench, which takes place on Tuesday 30 April at 16:30 on the Exhibition Stage. Afterwards, Desi will be available for a live Q&A, an industry first.

New on the agenda

FHS Saudi Arabia boasts new and exciting features this year, including ‘Destination Tomorrow: Unveiling of Investment opportunities,’ an exclusive platform to showcase innovative and emerging destinations in Saudi Arabia’s hospitality and tourism sector, with the aim to connect project developers, entrepreneurs, and visionaries with investors and other key stakeholders.

Also new on the agenda are the 'TENX Leadership Talks', short-but-powerful presentations by industry leaders on hot topics in the hospitality industry.

Amongst others, Fadi Alaseri, Senior Director – Education, Red Sea Global (RSG) will deliver a talk on elevating hospitality education in the Kingdom; Sultan Bader Al-Otaibi, Chief Executive Officer, Taiba Investments, will discuss how the private sector is driving growth through strategic synergy; Jean Jaques Morin, Deputy CEO & CEO Premium, Midscale & Economy Division, ACCOR, will speak on the topic of leveraging the momentum of developments in the Kingdom towards Vision 2030 success, and Gautam Sashittal, Chief Executive Officer, King Abdullah Financial District Development & Management Company (KAFD DMC), will cover the topic of embracing holistic living and sustainable solutions for urban lifestyles.

Taking place for the first time as well is the Speakers Corner, an opportunity for attendees to share personal narratives of overcoming challenges and achieving success in the industry.

As part of its commitment and focus on women in hospitality, organisers The Bench are offering complimentary passes to FHS Saudi Arabia 2024 for Saudi national women leaders working in the Saudi hospitality sector. Launched this year, the #FHSWomenPower campaign is an initiative to champion gender diversity and women empowerment in the industry in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and the region’s social and economic aspirations.

Startup Success

The ever popular Startup Den is back this year following its resounding inaugural success at FHS Saudi Arabia 2023. This year’s expert panel of judges includes Nouf AlHarthi, Manager – Business Development, TDF Grow; Salma Arafa, Senior Innovation Expert, UN Tourism, and Maya Ayoub, Founder & CEO, District 12 and Country Director, Saudi Arabia Women in Tech. Finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their business model to the judges with the possibility of winning prizes including incubation, mentorship, and funding.

Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF)

Tapping into Saudi Arabia’s growing dining out scene, GRIF returns to the Future Hospitality Summit and brings together the restaurant investment community for a future-focused programme of main stage presentations, F&B workshops, culinary & concept tours as well as a dedicated networking dinner. Topics include insights on the future demands of the hospitality consumer; the changing F&B landscape and what it means for the future of dining and spaces in Saudi Arabia; the importance of leveraging industry data to maintain a competitive edge, and the critical role of F&B in enhancing the bottom line for hotel owners and investors.

Event Experiences

Also back this year are the much-anticipated FHS Site Tours, giving delegates the opportunity to discover new and exhilarating destinations and experiences in Saudi Arabia. This year’s exclusive excursions include a visit to Diriyah - the birthplace of the Kingdom - to witness the exceptional UNESCO World Heritage site of At Turaif District, Diriyah’s premium-dining district Bujairi Terrace, the Saudi National Museum, Al Masmak Palace, and Souk Al-Zal.

 For more information about the 2024 editions of the Future Hospitality Summit, please visit futurehospitality.com/

About FHS Saudi Arabia

Dates:                           29 April – 1 May 2024

Location:                       Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh, KSA

Sponsors:

Al Khozama Investment and Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh as Host Sponsors; Ministry of Tourism as Strategic Partner; Taiba Investments as Founding Partner; Tourism Development Fund as Enablement Partner; Al Othaim Investments, Baheej, Boutique Group, Hilton, Kerten Hospitality, KAFD, NEOM, Radisson Hotel Group, Red Sea Global, Rua Al Madinah Holding and Saudi Icon Company as Platinum Sponsors; Saudi Tourism Investment Company (ASFAR), Accor, Club Med, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Jabal Omar Development Company, Marriott International, Millennium Hotels and Resorts and Rotana as Emerald Sponsors; Aleph Hospitality; ARC, Al Futtaim Engineering & Technologies, Bits Arabia, CBRE, Colliers; Compass Project Consulting, Dan Company, DAR Engineering, Daniel Ost, Domus Managed Housing, ELAF, Hyatt, IHCL, Inhabitr, Insignia, JLL, JT & Partners, Kohler, Knight Frank, LEVA, Louvre Hotels Group, Minor Hotels, PwC, QUO, Rove Hotels, Shaza Hotels, Soho Hospitality, Tashyid Urban Development, The Ascott Limited, Valor Hospitality Partners, Whitewater and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts as Gold Sponsors; Conran Design Group, H World International, HVS, HMH Hospitality Management Holding, Keane, STR, TV5 Monde, Time Hotels, Voltere by egis and Wisefields as Silver Sponsors; MJS, Restroworks and TGP International as GRIF - Platinum Sponsors; Forsite Creative as GRIF-Data Partner; Matbakhi as Start-up Exhibitor; Nimblebot, Sparklehaze, ViaVii and Exnios Academy as UN Tourism Innovation Sponsors; Cool Inc as GRIF’s Culinary & Concept Tour Partner; Melitta Professional as Coffee Sponsor, and HAMA, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and UN Tourism as Supporters.