Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Gate Development Authority, is leading the development of the Diriyah Gate project near Riyadh, as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan. The project aims to boost the tourism economy in the region. Despite some delays, Inzerillo assures that the project is on track to be completed by 2030. The 138-room Bab Samhan Hotel, part of the project, has already begun taking bookings for January 2025, after originally being scheduled for 2023.
The hotel lineup at Diriyah Gate consists of 37 signed management deals, with groundbreakings for around a dozen hotels expected in October. While the focus is on luxury hotels, there are plans to accommodate different needs with zones dedicated to high-end and more affordable options. Inzerillo aims to position Diriyah Gate as a high-end tourist destination, similar to Florence or Marrakech, to attract visitors and ensure high occupancy rates.
Luxury brands like Aman, Capella, and Four Seasons will be part of Diriyah Gate’s hotel roster. Inzerillo believes that the positioning of ultra-luxury brands side-by-side will not be an issue, citing examples of other major cities that also have a high concentration of luxury hotels. He envisions Riyadh becoming a tourism powerhouse in the future, attracting travelers from around the world.
Saudi Arabia’s inbound tourism is growing, with a significant increase in international tourist arrivals in recent years. Inzerillo believes that the country’s warm weather and unique positioning will appeal to tourists from regions with colder climates. Despite the sweltering summer temperatures, Saudi Arabia plans to implement heat mitigation strategies and offer indoor and water activities to attract visitors year-round.
To encourage longer stays and promote tourism in the region, Saudi Arabia, along with five other Gulf countries, has approved a common visa system. This initiative aims to increase the average length of stay in the region by two days by 2030. Inzerillo is confident that these collective efforts will enhance the appeal of the Gulf states as tourism hubs.
The success of Diriyah Gate and broader tourism reforms in Saudi Arabia depend on easing foreign investment restrictions. Inzerillo anticipates that new laws will be announced to facilitate foreign ownership of real estate and businesses in the kingdom. With the establishment of ministries dedicated to tourism, culture, investment, and sport in recent years, Saudi Arabia is making significant progress towards enhancing its tourism infrastructure. Inzerillo is optimistic about the future growth and development of the tourism sector in the kingdom.
