---
title: "Holiday Inn Express Debuts in Saudi Arabia"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/7bc99d8c-a90b-4260-991f-67bf3ca081c4
source: "Global Franchise"
original_url: https://www.global-franchise.com/news/holiday-inn-express-debuts-in-saudi-arabia
author: "Global Franchise Team"
category: "Hotels"
industry: "Lodging & Travel"
segment: "Hotels"
topics: ["Development & multi-unit"]
published: 2018-04-20T10:12:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T16:24:10.433Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1497366811353-6870744d04b2?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Holiday Inn Express Debuts in Saudi Arabia

**TL;DR:** Holiday Inn Express debuts in Saudi Arabia through a master development agreement between IHG and Al Hokair Group, with 10 units opening over 15 years. The agreement aims to capture the growing tourism market in Saudi Arabia, aligned with the country's Vision 2030 plan.

*By Global Franchise Team, originally published in Global Franchise on 2018-04-20. [Read the original](https://www.global-franchise.com/news/holiday-inn-express-debuts-in-saudi-arabia).*

## Story

A master development agreement between IHG and Al Hokair Group will see 10 units of Holiday Inn Express opening in Saudi Arabia over the next 15 years.

Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, India, Middle East and Africa, IHG said, “IHG has a strong legacy in Saudi Arabia, which is a key market for us in the Middle East. We are proud to once again collaborate with our esteemed long-term partner, Al Hokair Group, to bring the Holiday Inn Express brand to the country, and further expand our offering to domestic and international travellers, alike. The tourism landscape in Saudi Arabia is rapidly changing and we are excited to leverage the huge growth opportunities that Saudi Vision 2030 presents, particularly given that one of the biggest pillars of the plan is to bring more tourism into the country.”

Sami Alhokair, Managing Director, Al Hokair Group added: “We are delighted to further strengthen our partnership with a global leader such as IHG, who continue to be a trusted brand in Saudi Arabia. IHG’s portfolio aligns with our objective to strengthen our presence in the Kingdom as well as our commitment to Vision 2030. Holiday Inn Express is world renowned brand, offering great value to the guests and, in the absence of an adequate supply of mid-market hotels to cater to the increasing demand, this signing presents us with unprecedented opportunities to capture the volume segment.”

## Entities

- unit expansion (topic)
- Global Franchise (publication)
- international expansion (topic)
- Lodging & Travel (sector)
- Multi-Unit (company)
- Saudi Arabia (location)
- Holiday Inn Express (company)
- master development agreement (topic)
- tourism growth (topic)

---
Originally reported by Global Franchise Team, Global Franchise (https://www.global-franchise.com/news/holiday-inn-express-debuts-in-saudi-arabia). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/7bc99d8c-a90b-4260-991f-67bf3ca081c4).