Hotel101 Global has officially entered the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through a landmark joint venture agreement with Horizon Group—marking a major leap in its mission to deliver standardized, value-driven hospitality worldwide. The ambitious partnership aims to roll out up to 10,000 hotel rooms across the Kingdom, with a projected development value of USD 2.5 billion (PHP 137.5 billion).
The agreement was signed by Hotel101 Global CEO Hannah Yulo-Luccini and Horizon Group Abdulrahman Sharbatly in Medina, Saudi Arabia and witnessed by:
- Edgar “Injap” Sia II —DoubleDragon Corporation Chairman & Hotel101 Founder
- Khaled Sharbatly — Chairman, Horizon Group
- Wael Daqal — Board Member, Horizon Group
- Hisham Al Ansari – Board Member, Horizon Group
- Rodolfo “Pong” Ponferrada — DoubleDragon President & Hotel101 Global Executive Chairman
- Matthew Morio —Hotel 101 Global Director for Strategic Partnerships MEA
Five initial project sites have already been mapped out, with the first Hotel101 property set to rise in Medina, followed by Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, and AlUla—strategic locations aligned with Saudi’s booming tourism sector and Vision 2030.
Hotel101 is redefining global travel through its “one room” concept: a revolutionary approach where every hotel room is identical, providing guests with a seamless and predictable experience wherever they go. Designed with high-efficiency HappyRooms and powered by a unique asset-light condotel model, Hotel101 is built to scale—offering value and flexibility to both investors and travelers alike.
“This partnership is fueled by our admiration for the leadership of Saudi Arabia and their bold Vision 2030,” said Edgar “Injap” Sia II, Founder of Hotel101 Global. “We believe that Hotel101 can significantly contribute to the region’s hospitality goals while advancing our mission of reaching 1 million Hotel101 rooms worldwide.”
Hannah Yulo-Luccini, CEO of Hotel101 Global, emphasized the strategic importance of this expansion: “Saudi Arabia is one of the most dynamic markets we’ve identified among our 25 target countries. With surging domestic and international tourism, the Kingdom offers immense potential—and we’re thrilled to be part of that growth.”
Horizon Group CEO Abdulrahman Sharbatly echoed the enthusiasm: “With Hotel101’s rapid-build and scalable model combined with our deep local expertise, we’re bringing 10,000 quality, affordable rooms to the Kingdom. This is about more than hospitality—it’s about supporting Vision 2030, creating local jobs, and providing more options for pilgrims, tourists, and business travelers.”
Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry has hit historic highs, welcoming 27 million international and 79 million domestic visitors in 2023—surpassing the 100 million mark and generating a total spend of USD 67 billion. With a goal to reach 150 million visitors by 2030, the demand for high-quality, affordable accommodations is accelerating—offering a perfect opportunity for Hotel101 to make a lasting impact.
With each Hotel101 property expected to house an average of 500 rooms, the brand is set to play a vital role in strengthening the Kingdom’s hospitality infrastructure while continuing its global mission of accessible, reliable, and world-class accommodation.
