Barceló Hotel Group, a leading Spanish hospitality company, announced the brand’s plans to enter Saudi Arabia, with its first hotel expected to open by the end of 2025.
This debut, announced at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is a testament to the group’s long-term expansion strategy in the GCC, where regional demand continues to surge at an unprecedented pace, it said. The decision to enter Saudi Arabia comes as Barceló Hotel Group experiences a sharp rise in GCC-driven performance across its global portfolio. In 2024, room nights from Gulf countries grew by 10% year-on-year, led by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. That momentum is expected to accelerate significantly in 2025, with a forecasted 47% increase in bookings from the region, bolstered by a rising contribution from Qatar. José Canals, Managing Director for Middle East, Asia, Mediterranean and North Africa at Barceló Hotel Group, said: “Our expansion into Saudi Arabia is a natural progression for a brand that’s seeing record demand from the Gulf. This is more than a new opening, it’s a long-term investment into one of the world’s most dynamic travel markets.” Meanwhile, late last month the group has announced the opening of Barceló Hotel & Residences, Bahrain. The new property is situated in a 20-storey building in the Seef District and offers 195 spacious and modern designed rooms.