The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) is returning to Saudi Arabia this week, and it will be held at the Al Faisaliah Hotel in the capital city of Riyadh.
In 2020, FHS Saudi Arabia will launch in collaboration with the G20 Secretariat as the foremost hospitality investment conference for senior decision-makers and industry leaders to discuss investments, entrepreneurship, sustainability, innovation, and human capital in the Saudi Arabian and global hospitality industries.
There are a variety of goals for the conference, and they all relate back to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, an initiative to transform the country’s economy over the next decade.
To help diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy, FHS promotes growth in the hospitality industry and actively seeks investment in the sector by highlighting tourism’s potential and opportunities.
The Future Hotelier of Saudi (FHS) aspires to create employment opportunities for young Saudis by supporting the development of a skilled and talented workforce in the hospitality industry by promoting the adoption of new technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and best practices.
Through showcasing cultural heritage and natural attractions, the event also hopes to promote the kingdom as a leading destination for tourism and business travel, and to strengthen the relationship between the government, private sector, and academia to drive sustainable growth in the hospitality industry.
There will be over a thousand attendees from all across the Middle East and beyond at this three-day event in the Saudi capital.
Prince Bandar bin Saud bin Khalid Al Saud, secretary general of the King Faisal Foundation (KFF) and chairman of the board of directors at Al Khozama, will deliver the opening address at FHS Saudi Arabia, which is being organized by the Bench with support from host sponsors Al Khozama Investment Group and the Al Faisaliah Hotel.
Under the theme “Invest in Change,” FHS Saudi Arabia will include a jam-packed schedule that will address the future of the hotel industry, franchising, sustainability, personnel, and design.
“We are absolutely delighted to be back in Riyadh and beyond privileged to welcome prince Bandar bin Saud bin Khalid Al Saud to the stage as he officially opens FHS Saudi Arabia 2023,” said chairman of the Bench Jonathan Worsley.
The Future Hospitality and Tourism Summit (FHS) Saudi Arabia boasts “our strongest, most impactful programme to date,” with over 150 speakers and over 50 opportunities to learn, deliberate, invest, and network via main stage presentations, workshops, and unique experiences, setting the stage for the future of the region’s world-leading, ever-expanding hospitality and tourism sectors.
As we begin this premier, extremely impactful event, we look forward to greeting our esteemed guests, presenters, and delegates.
A look at the Saudi capital Riyadh, which fuses mediaeval and modern in a captivating cultural marriage, via Breaking Travel News, published just in time for the event.
Here, the history of Arabia may be traced back to its beginnings, and its ambitious future can be imagined.
Modern high-rises and a developing contemporary art scene coexist with the city’s antique architecture, evocative souqs, and engaging museums to showcase the city’s unique, centuries-old history.
It is best to visit Riyadh in the winter. Summertime highs can reach 44 degrees Celsius, while December and January have highs in the low 20s.
What should you do and see while you’re here?
Incredibly well kept since its construction in 1865, the massive Al Masmak Fortress is a clay and mud-brick castle that is a popular destination for history buffs and anyone curious about Saudi Arabia’s origins.
After spending time in Kuwait, King Abdulaziz returned in 1902 to seize control of Riyadh (his family’s original settlement).
From here, Abdulaziz Al Saud led the conquest and unification of the several kingdoms and provinces that make up modern-day Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi National Museum is another must-see, housing over 3,700 artefacts that trace the illustrious history of Arabia over the centuries. Riyadh is a shopping mecca, with everything from traditional, maze-like souks to high-end malls and unique boutiques.
The Souq Al Zal, the city’s most well-known marketplace, has been around since 1901 and is just as busy and chaotic as ever. Traditional Saudi artefacts like dallah coffee pots and mabkhara incense burners can be found here alongside gold coins, odd handicrafts, and dusty antiquities.
Modern shoppers have their pick of the shops at the Kingdom Centre, which are almost as impressive as the gleaming skyscraper itself, the open-air precinct the Zone, which features stores and restaurants clustered around a main plaza, and the IMAX theatre and arcade at Riyadh Park Mall.
Riyadh’s cultural blend is best experienced through its food.
Najd Village mixes a culinary adventure with a cultural one by recreating traditional Najd buildings and serving traditional dishes including kabsa, jareesh, and hashi.
Takya, which serves Saudi fusion food inspired by the country’s regions, and Suhail, which puts a contemporary spin on classic Saudi favourites, are two restaurants that offer more modern views on the cuisine.
Since its inception in 1988, the King Fahd International Stadium (KFIS) has been a cultural symbol for both the city of Jeddah and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In 2019, KFIS hosted a massive concert by K-Pop phenomenon BTS on its 500.000 sqm stadium in addition to hosting local and international high-profile sports events like WWE’s Crown Jewel 2019. The stadium also hosted a showing of Cirque du Soleil.
Ryadh is the perfect city for a weekend of opulence, with its glittering towers and dazzling nightscapes.
Guests can unwind at luxurious spas like Maison de Joelle and Al Faisaliah Spa by ESPA, or they can switch gears from physical to mental at one of the city’s many boutique art galleries.
Riyadh is a city that can be explored at your own speed, what with its many five-star hotels, upscale shopping complexes, and well chosen boutiques.
Experience a slice of Africa in the heart of the Arabian Desert by going on a morning wildlife drive at Riyadh’s private Nofa Safari.
Guided safari drives through this lodge-style resort that doubles as a conservation project guarantee sightings of giraffes, oryx, wildebeest, hippos, and impalas against a backdrop of apricot-colored dunes.
