Hyatt Hotels Corporation is solidifying its presence in Saudi Arabia with the announcement of two new hotels in the historic city of Madinah. This exciting development marks the debut of the Hyatt Centric brand in the Kingdom and underscores Hyatt's commitment to strategic growth in key markets. Hyatt Doubles Down Expanding Horizons: Hyatt House and Hyatt Centric Join Forces in Madinah A Hyatt affiliate has entered into management agreements with Knowledge Economic City (KEC) for the development of two distinct Hyatt-branded properties: Hyatt House Madinah KEC and Hyatt Centric Madinah KEC. These hotels, slated to open within the highly anticipated Knowledge Economic City development, will add a combined 576 keys to Hyatt's portfolio in Saudi Arabia. Hyatt House Madinah KEC: Designed to cater to extended-stay travelers, Hyatt House Madinah KEC will offer 446 residentially styled rooms. These comfortable accommodations will provide a home-away-from-home experience for all types of travelers, ensuring a relaxing and productive stay. Hyatt Centric Madinah KEC: Targeting the modern explorer, Hyatt Centric Madinah KEC will feature 130 contemporary rooms and suites. The hotel's design will incorporate artistic and stylistic elements that celebrate the unique character of Madinah. This lifestyle hotel promises to seamlessly blend functionality with boutique charm, creating a stylish haven for savvy travelers returning from adventures in the city. Both properties will participate in World of Hyatt, Hyatt's industry-leading loyalty program. This program boasts over 44 million members and offers a variety of attractive benefits, including room upgrades, complimentary nights, late checkouts, bonus points, and more. A Strategic Fit: Alignment with Vision 2030 and KEC's Vision The decision to expand into Madinah aligns perfectly with both Hyatt's and Saudi Arabia's strategic goals. Here's a closer look at the driving factors: Market Significance: Madinah, the Kingdom's fourth largest city, plays a pivotal role in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, a national transformation plan. With a projected population doubling in the next two decades, Madinah is poised for significant growth in the tourism sector. Hyatt's presence will cater to this growing demand, offering high-quality hospitality experiences for visitors. Knowledge Economic City: A Premier Destination: The location of the KEC development is uniquely advantageous. Directly connected to five of Madinah's most important roads, KEC is positioned to become a leading development within Saudi Arabia. The project aims to create a world-class destination, offering residents and visitors a lifestyle experience seamlessly integrating service, technology, and knowledge. Hyatt's hotels will be an integral part of this vision. Javier Águila, Group President, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Hyatt, shares his enthusiasm: “We are delighted to collaborate with Knowledge Economic City on plans to bring the Hyatt Centric and Hyatt House brands to the exciting KEC development, enhancing the tourism landscape in Madinah,” Aguila states. He emphasizes the importance of Saudi Arabia within Hyatt's growth strategy and highlights the company's dedication to expanding its brand footprint in key destinations. The debut of the Hyatt Centric brand in Saudi Arabia further demonstrates Hyatt's commitment to providing diverse accommodation options for World of Hyatt members seeking to explore the magic of Madinah. A Prime Location: Al Aliyah Welcomes Hyatt The two Hyatt-branded properties will be part of Al Aliyah, the initial phase of the KEC development. This strategically located area boasts convenient access to both the Madinah Sanctuary and the urban center. Additionally, the KEC project is situated on both sides of the main road connecting the Prophet's Mosque with Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport. Spanning over 2.6 square miles, KEC's unique location offers a direct connection to five major roads in Madinah and the Al Haramain High-Speed Railway, a high-speed passenger rail service linking the holy cities of Mecca and Madinah. Statements from KEC Representatives Underscore Significance of Collaboration Amin Shaker, Chairman of KEC: "We are excited to announce our strategic collaboration with Hyatt, marking a significant milestone for Knowledge Economic City (KEC). It is a testament to our shared values of excellence, innovation, and delivering extraordinary guest experiences." Shaker emphasizes the alignment between KEC and Hyatt's goals and expresses confidence that this partnership will elevate hospitality standards in Madinah, contributing to the Kingdom's development objectives outlined in Vision 2030.