SAUDI ARABIA’S HOTELS AND LEISURE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR AWARDS TO HIT USD 2.5 BN IN 2017

2017 will be a record year for new hotels opening in Saudi Arabia. With Riyadh being the busiest area followed by Jeddah, hotels and leisure construction contractor awards will reach a value of US$ 2.5 billion by the end of this year, according to the Venture Onsite’s “GCC Hotels & Leisure Market” report for the upcoming Big 5 Outdoor Design & Build Show.

The Saudi Vision 2030 is encouraging positive growth for the hotels & leisure industry. In April, the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund announced its plans to build the largest cultural, sports, and entertainment city in the world. By 2022, sports, cultural and recreational facilities will be developed along with a safari and a Six Flags theme park over a 334 km² area south of Riyadh.

While expanding its capacity to accommodate religious visitors in Makkah and Madinah, the Kingdom is also broadening its hospitality market in a bid to diversify the national economy. The Red Sea project, announced by the Public Investment Fund in August, will develop a tourism hub on more than 50 natural islands between Umluj and Al Wajh. Construction of luxury resorts is expected to start in 2019, with Phase 1 to be completed by 2022.

The positive trend is confirmed across the whole region. In the GCC, the hotels and leisure construction contractor awards are expected to record a 13% increase, from US$ 11,237 million in 2016 to US$ 12,716 million in 2017, according to the Ventures Onsite report.

With sustainability becoming progressively important to KSA, hotels and leisure facilities are increasing their green spaces, incorporating design concepts that employ sustainable and cost-effective products. “The booming hotels and leisure construction market is driving an unprecedented demand for outdoor design and landscaping projects in the region,” comments Josine Heijmans, Portfolio Director of The Big 5 Outdoor Design & Build Show.

In order to address the most compelling topics and issues related to urban development and landscaping, from 25 to 27 September, industry thought-leaders will gather at the only specialised trade event for the landscaping, infrastructure & urban development industry in the region, The Big 5 Outdoor Design & Build Show in Dubai. 

Alongside the exhibition, taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre, The Big 5 Outdoor Design & Build Show 2017 will offer 11 free to attend and CPD (Continuing Professional Development) certified workshops.  Big industry names will share best practices and valuable insights for the planning, design and construction of the hospitality and leisure projects being developed in Saudi Arabia, like the “Master Planning Tourism, Entertainment & Retail districts” session presented by Morne Fourie, VP Design at Dubai Parks and Resorts.

The event will also present a Sports Feature, presented by Raymond Sport, and is supported by Tentara UAE as Tent & Shading Partner.

Co-located with The Big 5 Outdoor Design & Build Show, three world-class events will offer additional networking and learning opportunities, as well as innovative products and the latest solutions for the expanding hotel and leisure industry in Saudi Arabia: FM Expo, Windows, Doors & Facades Event and Gulf Glass.

The four events, organised by dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa, taking place from 25 – 25 September 2017 at Dubai World Trade Centre, will bring together hundreds of suppliers and manufacturers from around the globe, in one place at one time. The events will also feature the Middle East Façades Summit and the Facilities Management Congress Middle East.

Saudi citizens and residents who wish to visit the exhibitions can avail discounted rates through The Big 5 Outdoor Design & Build Show’s Travel Partner, Trip Axis, and Emirates Airlines.

For more information, visit www.theoutdoorshow.ae.