Tourism Development Fund Announces SAR 2.9 Billion in Foreign Investments and Strategic Partnerships with the Private Sector on the Opening Day of “TOURISE 2025.”

The Tourism Development Fund (TDF), the national enabler of the Saudi tourism sector, has commenced its participation in TOURISE 2025 by announcing a series of high-impact projects and strategic partnerships worth SAR$2.9 billion. These announcements reflect the Fund’s role as an Impact Partner of the forum and affirm its commitment to developing integrated tourism destinations that enrich the diversity of experiences across Saudi Arabia and support sustainable economic growth.

The day kicked off with a series of projects being launched in the Aseer region, under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of Aseer Region and Chairman of Aseer Investment Company. The announcements were made in the presence of His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of TDF; His Excellency Eng. Mansour Al Mushaiti, Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture; and Mr. Qusai Al-Fakhri, Chief Executive Officer of TDF.

The five integrated tourism projects, comprising a total of 1,211 hotel keys, include Jareed Aseer, in partnership with NMR Real Estate; Al Dhabab Land, in collaboration with Saraya Al Diyar Investment, a subsidiary of Al Kathiri Holding; Al Hadabah Park,  in partnership with Shaden Hospitality Company, which will host the first Anantara-branded resort in Aseer region;Westin Resort Aseer, in partnership with Manarat Al Dayafa; and The House Residences, a joint venture with Aseer Investment Company, Rikaz Real Estate Development Company, and National Company for Tourism (Syahya).

This project marks the first major initiative under a strategic partnership between TDF and Aseer Investment Company. Additional developments are expected to follow, including Hifah and Jabal Abdullah under the Mantis hotel brand. These projects will be implemented in stages in support of Aseer’s tourism development strategy, which aims to position the region as a year-round tourism destination.

TDF also announced the Saryna project in the presence of H.E. Al-Khateeb, H.E. Al Mushaiti, Mr. Al-Fakhri, Dr. Ali Al-Sawat, Mayor of Al-Baha region, and Mr. Mohammed Yousuf Naghi, chairman of Amaken Al-Wataniya for Tourism. The project focuses on developing nature-based hospitality experiences, offering curated trails and immersive hospitality journeys that connect destinations and activate Saudi Arabia’s natural assets. This initiative is designed to stimulate tourism movement and generate economic and developmental opportunities for surrounding communities.

The Fund also announced a series of MoUs to explore new investment opportunities. These included an MoU with Meliá Hotels International, Spain’s largest hotel group, to develop approximately 1,000 hotel rooms and introduce new brands to the Saudi market, including ZEL, enhancing the diversity of hospitality offerings and the appeal of tourism destinations.

The Fund also signed MoUs with Aina Hospitality to develop various hospitality projects and bring the Relais & Châteaux brand to Saudi Arabia for the first time, enriching the luxury hospitality landscape; and with Arsenale of Italy to develop the “Dream of the Desert” project, the company’s first international venture and the first luxury rail tourism experience of its kind in the Middle East. This premium hotel-style journey will span more than 1,300 kilometers across five routes, connecting multiple destinations that showcase Saudi Arabia’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Through these announcements, TDF reinforces its role in building strategic partnerships that contribute to the development of integrated tourism destinations reflecting the Kingdom’s geographic and cultural diversity, while enhancing the sector’s readiness to accommodate rapid growth. The Fund will continue announcing additional partnerships throughout the forum, further cementing Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading global destination for sustainable tourism.