• The luxury hospitality leader saw 59% increase in room nights booked by Saudi travellers in 2023, with continued growth expected as brand continues path of regional and international expansion.
• The brand contributes to empowering Saudi talent for thriving careers in tourism and hospitality.
Saudi Arabia-: Jumeirah Group, the global luxury hospitality company and member of Dubai Holding, has announced its second new property for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jumeirah The Red Sea, joining recently opened Jabal Omar Jumeirah in Makkah. The announcement was made during the brand’s annual GCC Roadshows held in Riyadh and Jeddah for members of the travel trade, tour operators, travel agencies and clients as part of its ongoing strategy to drive further growth in the Kingdom.
The remarkable increase in guest arrivals for the luxury operator follows a period of global expansion for the Jumeirah brand with the opening of several new resorts over the past 18 months, including Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort & Spa, Jumeirah Muscat Bay, and Jumeirah Bali. The latest opening of Jabal Omar Jumeirah marks the Group’s first property in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, commencing operations as part of the second phase of the Holy City’s flagship Jabal Omar project, designed by Fosters + Partners architects.
Currently operating one of a planned four towers in the Jabal Omar development with beautiful views over the Holy City and the Great Mosque of Makkah (Masjid Al Haram), the hotel features seven unique dining outlets including a signature Persian restaurant that brings to life a culinary path cultivated by century old Iranian provinces.
This will be followed by the opening of Jumeirah The Red Sea next year, following the signing of an agreement in 2021 with Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism project. Due to open in 2024 on Shura Island, Jumeirah The Red Sea will offer a range of accommodation options, from spacious rooms and suites to stunning pool and beach villas. Jumeirah The Red Sea will embody The Red Sea ethos, whilst retaining the exceptional hospitality service for which Jumeirah is renowned. Epitomising ‘barefoot luxury’, the hotel’s unique single-story architectural designed by Foster + Partners will have elements connected by a sand covered ‘Ribbon Path’ ensuring guests feel immersed in the surrounding natural environment. Exceptional dining experiences will be at forefront of the resort, which will welcome several of the brand’s home-grown concepts including the Mediterranean inspired Shimmers on The Beach, and Nikkei Peruvian Kayto. The resort will also be home to Jumeirah’s celebrated Talise Spa, offering indoor and outdoor treatment rooms.
Alexander Lee, Chief Commercial Officer of Jumeirah Group, said: “We are committed to expanding our global footprint and evolving the brand’s experiential offering in truly unique destinations around the world and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia plays an important role in this expansion. Our plans in KSA are fully aligned to support the economic diversification goals of Saudi Vision 2030, led by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. As the region’s leading luxury hospitality brand, it was a natural fit for us to bring our innovative design, culinary expertise and seamless guest experiences to the Kingdom.”
Jumeirah Group is committed to facilitating Saudi nationals in pursuing successful careers in the tourism and hospitality sectors, through training and development, as the Group prepares for its new hotel opening in the Kingdom. The Group currently employs 192 people at Jabal Omar Jumeirah, 50% of which are Saudi nationals. The opening of Jumeirah the Red Sea next year will create an additional 300 jobs.
The Group also has further plans to expand its portfolio in Dubai with the opening of the highly anticipated Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab in Dubai, set to introduce a new expression of ultra-luxury hospitality for the brand. In addition to hotels and resorts, Jumeirah Group outlined its commitment to expanding its portfolio of branded residences and unique living concepts with the announcement of Jumeirah Living Business Bay, scheduled to open next year. Featuring a selection of two-, three-, and four-bedroom residences and five-bedroom simplex and duplex penthouses as well as one full-floor master penthouse, the building offers the ultimate in immersive luxury living with stunning views of the Dubai Canal and/or Burj Khalifa.
Ahead of COP28 in Dubai later this month, Jumeirah Group is also reinforcing its commitment to responsible hospitality through innovation and industry collaboration, with the Group becoming a key member of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. Targeting tangible, scalable and practical sustainable solutions for the hospitality industry, Jumeirah Group is focusing on three key pillars: Planet, People & Culture and Governance.