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Pictured (from right): Mohammad Al-Romaizan, Chief of Staff and Corporate Governance Officer, TDF; Her Royal Highness Princess Nouf Alsaud, Acting Director, Decision Support & International Partnership, TDF; Qusai Al-Fakhri, Chief Executive Officer, TDF; Jean-Pierre Trabut, General Manager, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi; and Naif Al-Madi, Chief Business Officer, TDF. – Image Credit Dusit International
Dusit International has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Development Fund (TDF). This partnership establishes a framework for developing hospitality projects to enhance Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector.
The MoU was signed at the World Travel Market 2024 in London. It marks Dusit’s commitment to sustainable international expansion and TDF’s dedication to fostering global partnerships to build luxury hotels and resorts in Saudi Arabia.
During the first half of 2024, Saudi Arabia reported an 8.2% increase in spending by inbound visitors, reaching around SAR 92.6 billion. The country also noted a surplus in the travel account of approximately SAR 41.6 billion. This growth in visitor spending underscores Saudi Arabia’s significant strides in tourism. The nation led all G20 countries in international tourist arrivals and growth rate of international tourism receipts in the first seven months of 2024.
TDF’s mission aligns with Saudi Arabia’s National Tourism Strategy and the Saudi Vision 2030 framework. It seeks to diversify the Kingdom’s tourism sector by supporting sustainable development and world-class infrastructure projects. Per the MoU, Dusit will collaborate with TDF to identify potential hotel development opportunities. Leveraging Dusit’s 75 years of hospitality expertise and a diverse brand portfolio, the partnership aims to create unique guest experiences and lasting value for hotel owners, investors, and the broader community.
Suphajee Suthumpun, Group CEO of Dusit International, expressed her excitement about the partnership. She noted that Saudi Arabia was a key focus for their growth, and the collaboration with TDF offered opportunities to connect with high-potential investments across the Kingdom. She added that they looked forward to contributing to Saudi Arabia’s National Tourism Strategy.
Dusit International boasts 301 properties in 18 countries, including eight hotels in the Middle East. Its portfolio includes several established brands, and it recently added Devarana – Dusit Retreats and Dusit Collection to its growing brand lineup. The company also contributes to the industry through its educational arm, Dusit Hospitality Education, and other group-wide synergies.
