Dur Hospitality, Synchronised for Success at AHIC 2019

Dur Hospitality, the leading hospitality company in Saudi Arabia supported the 15thedition of the industry’s leading Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), which was held in Ras Al Khaimah between the 9thand 11thof April. In the presence of prominent hotel industry professionals, Dur participated at AHIC as the platinum sponsor while the CEO of Dur Hospitality, Dr. Badr Al Badr, and President of Hotel Operations, Mr. Hassan Ahdab, actively engaged in panel discussions. 

During the conference, Dur shared its year’s significant achievements and partnerships, and showcased its long-term growth and developmental strategy in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 that drives economic diversity. 

Dr. Al Badr noted Dur’s flexible business approach, which is made possible by its diversified portfolio as an owner and operator, simultaneously, which drives Dur to create fruitful partnerships in a sustainable approach for long-term growth.

The company’s portfolio of 22 properties with more than 4200 keys includes a myriad of hotel choices – religious, leisure, and business; efficient, and luxurious –with a number of residential compounds and serviced apartments. It embodies its diverse and flexible business outlook, as the commitment to growth and development continues with 16 projects under development and design stage.

As a part of its milestones, the Marriott Airport Riyadh Hotel was rebranded, and the most recent flagship - Marriott Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh – was officially launched in March 2019. The latter was awarded the LEED Gold certification in sustainability, one of the firsts in Saudi Arabia. 

Dur is expanding Makarem Hotels brand in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, by increasing the number of rooms up to 10000 keys by 2028 to meet the expected increase of Umrah visitors in line with Saudi Vision 2030. Its dynamic growth strategy also resulted in Dur entering the local serviced apartment sector through its recent acquisition of SHADA serviced apartments, with plans to develop this line of business in response to growing demands in domestic tourism. 

Anchoring his faith in the Saudi market, Dr. Badr expressed his view on the timing being right for investments in the growing hospitality industry, as it will proliferate gains on multiple dimensions. He also pointed out the vitality of the hospitality services in the Saudi economy and job market, and Dur’s strategy in supporting national talent and training the local workforce through a set of in-house programs that create a generation of qualified professionals.