Tech drives Rotana’s growth in KSA

Rotana Hotels is scaling up its footprint in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with four new hotel openings by year-end and 13 more in development, reveals Eddy Tannous, Chief Operating Officer, Rotana Hotels, in an exclusive interview with TRAVTALK. With a sharp focus on Riyadh, Mecca and Medina, the group is aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 to meet surging tourism demand.

TT Bureau

Rotana Hotels has had a remarkable year, especially in Saudi Arabia where the brand currently operates 12 hotels and is preparing to open four more before the year ends. “Saudi Arabia is central to our regional strategy,” said Eddy Tannous, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Rotana Hotels. “We have 13 more properties in the pipeline, mostly in Riyadh, with exciting projects also underway in Mecca, Medina and Abha.”

The brand recently launched a 500-key property in Mecca’s Mukarramah district and is set to debut in other secondary cities. Tannous attributes this rapid expansion to the momentum generated by Vision 2030, which has significantly increased the government’s focus on tourism. “We have been present in Saudi for almost 20 years, but the last few years have opened a new chapter. Being an Arab-born brand, it’s rewarding to contribute to the Kingdom’s transformation,” he said.

Beyond Saudi Arabia, Rotana is eyeing vertical growth in key adjacent markets. A development lead has been appointed in Turkey to explore opportunities across Eastern Europe and the CIS. Meanwhile, expansion into Africa is accelerating, with ongoing projects in Congo and Tanzania and a new development director focused on the continent.

Rotana’s expansion strategy remains grounded in sustainability and operational excellence. “Sustainability for us is not just about eliminating plastic—it’s about embedding a sustainable mindset across every business decision,” Tannous explained. From supplier accreditation to efficient hotel design, the company is committed to reducing its environmental impact.

Technology, particularly AI, is another key area of focus. “Our mission is to enhance the guest experience first and use technology to support that goal,” he emphasised. Rotana recently hosted Microsoft at its leadership conference to explore relevant AI applications in hospitality. “We are already connected with all major distribution channels and are now exploring smarter systems to improve guest communication and service delivery,” he added. Rotana’s recent integration into the Global Hotel Alliance expands its loyalty programme reach, giving Rotana Discovery members access to over 1,000 hotels. “This partnership allows us to grow without compromising service quality,” said Tannous, adding: “Our success lies in agile execution, owner partnerships, and staying true to our brand values.”