Star and Hilton have entered a strategic partnership to develop Saudi talent across the hospitality industry, supporting Saudi Vision 2030. The collaboration will deliver training, certification and professional development programmes for professionals at every career stage, from frontline employees to senior leaders. One of the first initiatives will offer the Certified Hospitality Department Trainer (CHDT) certification from the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), equipping Saudi professionals to deliver workplace training and strengthen service standards. 

Manazel Al Naqaa Limited Company and Marriott International have signed an agreement to convert Shirvan Hotel City Yard Jeddah into an Autograph Collection Hotel, with opening planned for December 2026. The 113-room boutique property will remain operational during the transition and offer dining venues, wellness facilities, meeting spaces, a fitness centre and swimming pool. Located in Jeddah’s Al Rawdah district, the hotel will strengthen Marriott’s lifestyle portfolio in Saudi Arabia and expand the global Autograph Collection brand.

InterContinental Muscat has earned the Green Key Certification, recognising its commitment to sustainable hospitality and environmental responsibility. The hotel is the second IHG property in Oman to receive the internationally recognised certification, aligned with IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Journey to Tomorrow initiative. As it approaches its 50th anniversary next year, the hotel has strengthened sustainability efforts through energy and water conservation, waste reduction, responsible sourcing, elimination of single-use plastics, solar-powered lighting and community engagement, while continuing to deliver luxury guest experiences.

Amsa Hospitality and Artal Hotels have signed hotel management agreements for three Riyadh properties, alongside a memorandum of understanding between Hyatt and Artal Hotels to bring the hotels under Hyatt’s global brand portfolio. The projects include one new-build hotel and two brand conversions in Al Muhammadiyah, Al Sahafa and Al Nafel. Together, the three hotels will offer 300 keys and a range of dining, wellness and meeting facilities. All three properties are expected to open and operate under Hyatt brands by the end of this year. 

Hyatt has joined the Saudi Ministry of Tourism’s Hospitality Ambassadors programme to develop Saudi hospitality talent through international training assignments across Asia. During 2026, 20 Saudi colleagues from five Hyatt hotels in the Kingdom will undertake one-month placements in Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and China. 

Rosewood Jeddah has joined Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism Hospitality Ambassadors Programme to support the development of Saudi hospitality talent through practical, on-the-job training. The initiative provides participants with hands-on experience in luxury hospitality, helping build operational skills, leadership capabilities and international service standards. 

Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) and the Gulf Downstream Association (GDA) have signed a partnership agreement to host the next three editions of the biennial International Downstream Conference and Exhibition (IDCE) in Bahrain. The agreement strengthens Bahrain’s position as a regional hub for MICE tourism and specialised international events. 

Rotana has signed an agreement with Zawaya Properties Company to launch The Residences by Rotana at Thakher in Makkah, marking the brand’s first branded residences project in Saudi Arabia. The upscale development will feature 240 fully serviced apartments within the SAR 26 billion mixed-use destination, located 1.5 kilometres from the Grand Mosque. The signing expands Rotana’s Saudi portfolio to 24 properties across five brands.