Dur Hospitality celebrated the re-launch of the newly renovated Riyadh Airport Marriott Hotel in collaboration with Marriott International and Riyadh Airports Company, in the presence of the Board Members of Dur Hospitality, Dr. Badr Al-Badr, CEO of Dur and Mr. Alex Kyriakidis, Marriott’s President and Managing Director Middle East and Africa.
The agreement between Dur Hospitality and the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) was extended for 20 years starting from 2016, to develop the hotel and its business identity, while operating the hotel through an international brand. The cost of developing the current hotel is expected to reach approximately SAR 120 million, where the capacity will be increased from 247 to 347 rooms, in addition to the development of supporting facilities.
On this occasion, Dr. Badr Al-Badr, CEO of Dur Hospitality, said, “The opening of Riyadh Airport Marriott Hotel is an important step in line with the company's expansion strategy in the Kingdom’s hospitality industry. It could enhance our partnership with international brands such as Marriott International, which began 40 years ago with Riyadh Marriott Hotel. Through this partnership, we introduced the concept of five-star hotels to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and developed a number of projects, including Diplomat Courtyard Marriott Hotel and Marriott Hotel and Executive Apartments in Diplomatic Quarter Riyadh”.
He added, “the positive impact of this hotel will be reflected on the businessmen who will benefit from the hotel’s unique services that meet their needs. It will also keep pace with the great transformation of the Kingdom at various levels and economic sectors, especially the tourism and hospitality sector”.
Dr. Badr, highlighted the Kingdom's position as a commercial centre that attracts business tourism from Arab and international markets, noting that the business tourism expenses exceeded SAR 30 billion last year, and hotels make up about 48% of these expenses.
In turn, the Chief Executive Officer of Riyadh Airports Company, Mr. Musaed bin Abdul Aziz Al-Daoud, highlighted that Dur Hospitality’s choice of Marriott Hotel to operate and manage the Airport Hotel is an important development step that will contribute to upgrading the services provided to the hotel guests.
Mr. Al-Daoud pointed out that the expansion and development of Riyadh Airport Marriott Hotel meets the increasing number of passengers travelling through King Khalid International Airport, which estimated at about 7% per annum. By the end of 2017, the number of passengers travelling through the capital airport reached over 25 million, which is the highest number in the history of the airport. This year is expected to see an increase in passenger numbers compared to last year.
The Riyadh Airport Marriott Hotel is strategically located close to the main markets in Riyadh. It features 2 dining halls, a ballroom with an area of about 1500 square meters, accommodating 750 guests, and 4 meeting rooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Marriot Riyadh Airport Hotel is one of the most prominent hotels that meet the needs of businessmen coming to the Kingdom, whether to participate in conferences and forums, or to hold meetings and conventions.
It’s worth mentioning that the Kingdom’s business tourism sector has witnessed a remarkable growth recently, especially in MICE sector, where the volume of expenditure on this sector has reached more than 20% of the total public expenditure on tourism. More than 3.2 million tourists participate in exhibitions and conferences held in Saudi Arabia annually at an expenditure rate in excess of SR 6.8 billion.
