Accor and Al Qimmah Hospitality, the hospitality division of BinDawood Investment, have announced the expansion of their strategic partnership in Saudi Arabia. The signing of a new 850-key Novotel in Makkah takes the joint portfolio beyond 4,000 keys across five hotels.
A deal unveiled in Paris, building on 2025
The announcement was made in Paris on the sidelines of the French-Saudi Investment Roundtable, which brought together a delegation of leading Saudi economic players. The signing builds on the master development agreement concluded between the two groups in 2025, and now takes their partnership to five hotels spread across Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah, spanning the premium, midscale and economy segments.
Duncan O’Rourke, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific at Accor, said Saudi Arabia is among the most dynamic hotel markets in the world, and that the expansion of the partnership with Al Qimmah Hospitality beyond 4,000 rooms reflects the shared confidence of both groups in its long-term potential. He added that the Group’s ambition extends beyond hospitality alone, aiming also to create sustainable careers for Saudi talent.
Novotel Makkah, the partnership’s fifth signing
The future Novotel Makkah, due to open in 2030, will broaden the offer of quality accommodation in the holy city. The new property strengthens Accor’s position as the leading international hotel operator in the Holy Sites, a segment underpinned by the Kingdom’s continued growth in religious tourism. 🔗 Read more on LTH: Accor and Alesayi Holding announce the Abraj Omar Hotel & Residences Makkah – MGallery Collection
The expanded portfolio responds to rising demand for quality hospitality across a broader range of price segments, in line with the ambitions of Vision 2030 to strengthen tourism infrastructure and visitor capacity.
A diversified portfolio across Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah
The partnership now comprises the Mercure Makkah Shesha, the ibis Styles Makkah Mesfalah, the Mövenpick Madinah, the Swissôtel Jeddah, and the newly signed Novotel Makkah — more than 4,000 keys across five properties, spanning the Novotel, Mövenpick and Swissôtel brands.
Developing Saudi talent, a stated priority
Beyond hotel construction alone, the partnership comes with a commitment to job creation and training. It draws on Tamayyaz by Accor, the Group’s national talent development programme run in partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, which aims to train and recruit more than 3,000 Saudi nationals by 2030.
Leaders hail a defining milestone
Dr Abdulrazzaq Bindawood, Chairman of the group, said that surpassing the 4,000-room threshold across five hotels marks an important milestone in the partnership with Accor. He noted that the signing of the Novotel Makkah reinforces the group’s long-term investment in the Kingdom’s hospitality sector, and its ambition to develop accommodation that meets the evolving needs of visitors and pilgrims.
Accor, a long-standing operator in the Kingdom
Present in Saudi Arabia for more than thirty years, Accor now operates 48 hotels totalling more than 21,600 keys, with a further pipeline of 47 hotels representing more than 11,400 keys. Spread across more than sixteen brands, the Group serves religious, leisure and business travellers alike. 🔗 Read more on LTH: With 3 new hotels, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts strengthens its presence in Saudi Arabia
For its part, Al Qimmah Hospitality plans more than 30 hotels across Saudi Arabia, as part of the diversification drive undertaken by BinDawood Investment, one of the Kingdom’s leading family conglomerates, active in real estate, industry and infrastructure.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Deal: Accor and Al Qimmah Hospitality (BinDawood Investment) expand their Saudi partnership beyond 4,000 keys
New signing: 850-key Novotel Makkah, opening expected in 2030
Portfolio: five hotels now span Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah, across premium, midscale and economy segments
Context: deal builds on the 2025 master development agreement, announced in Paris during the French-Saudi Investment Roundtable
Accor in Saudi Arabia: 48 hotels (21,600+ keys) operating, with a pipeline of 47 hotels (11,400+ keys)
Talent commitment: Tamayyaz by Accor targets 3,000+ Saudi nationals hired by 2030
