Minor Hotels has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Development Fund to jointly develop and operate a series of “high-quality hospitality and lifestyle projects” focused on mountain resorts, wellness resorts and urban hotels within the destination. 

The first project under the partnership is expected to be announced in the second half of this year. 

A statement from Minor Hotels said the properties would be located in “exclusive regions” of Saudi Arabia and would span multiple projects over the next two years. 

Minor Hotels will act as an operator and partner in each of the projects.

The group’s flagship brands include Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, Avani Hotels & Resorts, Tivoli Hotels & Resorts and Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites. 

The statement confirmed luxury brand Anantara would constitute “at least one” of the agreed projects. The brand is already well established in the GCC region and has more than 10 properties in the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar.

Minor Hotels’ Avani brand will also debut in Saudi Arabia with “multiple properties” scheduled to be developed. The brand already has properties in the United Arab Emirates and Oman, with a property currently under development in Bahrain, set to launch in 2024. 

Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Development Fund supports investment in the destination, linking private sector investors with public funding opportunities. It was set up in 2020 to harness opportunities and fund development in tourism destinations across Saudi Arabia. 

The development of the Minor Hotels properties is “consistent” with Saudi Arabia’s National Tourism Strategy and the Saudi Vision 2030.

“The signing of this memorandum of understanding with Saudi’s Tourism Development Fund represents a significant step for Minor Hotels, enabling the group to offer a wide variety of products ranging from experiential luxury to serviced apartments, each creating a personalised product for a consumer niche,” said Dillip Rajakarier, group chief executive of Minor International and chief executive of Minor Hotels. 

“We look forward to working closely with TDF to bring these projects to fruition and to creating new iconic hospitality destinations within the Kingdom.”

Qusai al Fakhri, chief executive of Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Development Fund, added: “This MOU and future partnership with Minor Hotels is a great step forward towards making Saudi Arabia an attractive global tourism destination. We are proud to debut Minor Hotels’ internationally recognisable brands in the Kingdom, bringing prestige to Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector.”