Blacksand and Marriott International Announce Landmark Deal to Open 10 Hotels in Saudi Arabia

Blacksand and Marriott International announced the signing of a milestone agreement to develop ten hotels, representing over 1,300 rooms, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over the next four years. The multi-brand deal establishes a long-term collaboration between both companies to deliver projects aligned with the country’s evolving tourism and urban development ambitions.

Landmark Deal Highlights
- Partnership: Blacksand and Marriott International signed an agreement to develop 10 hotels in Saudi Arabia.
- Scale: The projects will add over 1,300 rooms across multiple cities, with phased openings through 2030.
- Brands Included: St. Regis, Marriott Hotels, Autograph Collection, Moxy, Courtyard, Residence Inn, and Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy.
- First Opening: Expected in Riyadh.
- Employment Impact: More than 6,000 full-time roles, with at least 60% allocated to Saudi Nationals.

Strategic Importance
- Supports Saudi Arabia’s tourism and urban development goals.
- Strengthens Marriott’s portfolio diversification in the Middle East.
- Blacksand positions itself as a major player in real estate and hospitality development.

Leadership Perspectives
- Omar Alabdullatif (Blacksand CEO): Called it a “defining milestone” and emphasized ambition and quality.
- Jerome Briet (Marriott International CDO, EMEA): Highlighted Marriott’s focus on delivering diverse hospitality experiences aligned with Saudi priorities.