Ayara, a new $1 billion mid-market hospitality platform, has been launched in Saudi Arabia by Patel Family Office and Abdel Hadi A. Al-Qahtani & Sons (AHQ) to develop 50 branded business hotels by 2029. The platform aims to deliver 5,000–7,000 rooms across key hubs including Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, targeting rising corporate travel demand.
“The Kingdom’s transformation is creating demand for reliable, standardized business hospitality,” said Lakshmi Narayanan, Vice Chairman, Patel Family Office.
AHQ CEO Abdulmalik Tariq Al-Qahtani added: “Ayara integrates construction, procurement and operations, setting new benchmarks for speed and efficiency.”
Dr Shehara Rizly Fernando manages Middle East content, bringing over three decades of experience across print, broadcast, and digital journalism in Asia and the Middle East region. Beginning as a broadcast journalist, she transitioned into print and digital platforms, covering news, travel, tourism and destinations, hotel development, and aviation. She is also a strong advocate for women in the industry, consistently championing their growth and empowerment throughout her career.
