100 ‘Super 8s’ to come up in KSA

Dimitris Manikis, President – EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, in an interview with TRAVTALK, shares insights about the developments in the Middle East region. Celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the iconic Super 8 brand, he recently announced that they are looking at bringing in 100 Super 8 hotels across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the next 10 years.

TT Bureau

As Wyndham Hotels & Resorts celebrates the 50^th anniversary of its iconic Super 8 brand, the hospitality giant makes a bold statement in the Middle East — particularly in Saudi Arabia — with a major expansion plan that reflects the Kingdom’s transformative Vision 2030.

“This year is even more special for us as we celebrate the 50^th birthday of one of our most beloved and leading premium economy brands globally — Super 8,” said Dimitris Manikis, President – EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “We are thrilled to have launched a partnership here in Saudi Arabia to open 100 Super 8 hotels across the Kingdom within the next 10 years. This initiative, developed with a key local partner and supported by the Ministry of Development, is a testament to our belief that hospitality should be inclusive, not exclusive,” he said.

Empowering locals

Wyndham’s ambitions in Saudi Arabia go beyond property count. The brand is deeply invested in developing local talent and embedding itself within the Kingdom’s cultural and economic evolution. “One of the greatest things I notice every time I leave Saudi Arabia is the incredible passion of the youth for hospitality,” Manikis noted. “Across Europe, the industry is wondering whether young people still see hospitality as a passion. That is not a concern here. The growing middle class and dynamic young population in Saudi Arabia love this industry — they are eager to be part of this journey,” he added.

KSA: A global hospitality pioneer

According to Manikis, Saudi Arabia is not merely participating in the global hospitality race — it’s leading it. “This market is the Formula 1 of hospitality,” he said. “They are piloting innovations in sustainability, food waste reduction, energy consumption and talent integration that will not become mainstream elsewhere for another five years. The Kingdom has the capital, the resources and — most importantly — the vision to create a globally relevant model for the future of hospitality,” he added.

People first, technology second

While Wyndham embraces the role of technology in enhancing operational efficiency, its leadership remains clear: hospitality is, and always will be, about people.

“Yes, technology is important but let us not forget that people are the foundation of this industry,” Manikis emphasised.