Tourexpi
Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia unveils programme and participants for 2025 summit
Featuring everything from start-ups to staffing and innovation to investment, the FHS Saudi Arabia programme will address key challenges, opportunities and trends in hospitality and tourism, with leaders from government entities, hospitality companies, investment firms, developers and the education sector on the long and distinguished speaker list.
Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench, organiser of FHS Saudi Arabia, said: “With FHS Saudi Arabia just a few short weeks away, our power-packed 2025 agenda is shaping up to be our most ambitious yet with over 130 speakers confirmed. Expect in-depth discussions, strong debate and deep insight from some of the Middle East’s most respected, talented and experienced leaders; a wealth of topics and a host of special events, awards and features that celebrate Saudi’s hospitality sector of today – and shape the industry of tomorrow.”
Speakers
FHS Saudi Arabia reveals its list of top 20 speakers for 2025:
- HH Prince Bandar Bin Saud Bin Khalid Al Saud, Secretary General of King Faisal Foundation (KFF) and Chairman of Al Khozama Investment Company
- Sultan Bader Al-Otaibi, Chief Executive Officer, Taiba Investments
- Nick Candy, Chief Executive Officer, Candy Capital
- Marloes Knippenberg, Chief Executive Officer, Kerten Hospitality
- Muhammad Bassrawi, Chief Domestic Tourism Officer, Saudi Tourism Authority
- Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Global Chief Development Officer, Radisson Hotel Group
- Gregory Djerejian, Group Chief Legal Officer, Red Sea Global
- Serena Lim, Chief Growth Officer, The Ascott Limited
- Maud Bailly, Chief Executive Officer, Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems • Steven Greenway, Chief Executive Officer, Flyadeal
- Khalid Saud Abu Haimed, Chief Executive Officer, Al Khozama Investment Company
- Shaikha Al Nowais, Corporate Vice President, Owner Relationship Management, Rotana
- Hossam Al-Basrawi, Chief Executive Officer, Alrajhi Capital
- Sean Hehir, President & CEO, Trinity Investments
- Amin Ismail, Managing Director, Certares
- Benoît-Etienne Domenget, Chief Executive Officer, Sommet Education
- Omar Romero, Chief Development and Luxury Officer, MINOR Hotels
- Michael Acton Smith, Co-founder, Calm
- Dr. Abeer Alamri, Skills Development and Talent Optimization Expert
On the agenda
The FHS Saudi Arabia agenda has dozens of sessions across more than 12 tracks over three days. Here is the organisers’ day-by-day must-attend list:
Sunday, 11 May:
- How Can We Rebrand Hospitality Careers to Attract Saudi Youth?
- Rethinking Hospitality Schools: Education, Experience & Environment Monday, 12 May:
- Opening remarks from HH Prince Bandar bin Saud bin Khalid Al Saud, Secretary General, King Faisal Foundation (KFF) & Chairman of the Board of Directors, Al Khozama
- Safeguarding Hospitality Investments Amid Market Shifts: Is Saudi Arabia Still the Land of Opportunity? With input from Khalid Saud Abu Haimed, Chief Executive Officer, Al Khozama; AlaaEldin Saleh, Chief Hotels Operating Officer, Rua Al Madinah Holding Company, and Cyril Piaia, Chief Executive Officer / Board Member at Confidential, moderated by Yousef Gamal El-Din, Former News-Anchor, Bloomberg
- Unveiling Market Trends: Insights into Branded Residences in the Kingdom, with insight from Daniel von Barloewen, Senior Vice President, Global Mixed-Use Development, Accor One Living; Julien Laloye, Director, Mixed-Use Development (EMEA), Marriott International, and Stephen Cheesebrough, Head of Development, Red Sea Global
- Inside the Mind of the Global Investor: What Draws Capital to Saudi Arabia, with confirmed speakers Christophe Beauvilain, managing Director, Pygmalion Capital and Amin Ismail, Managing Director, Certares
Tuesday, 13 May
- How to Make a Brand Last? Featuring Maud Bailly,CEO, Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems and member of Accor’s Luxury & Lifestyle Executive Committee
- The Future Workforce: Empowering Talent, Leadership, and Inclusion, with Benoît-Etienne Domenget, CEO, Sommet Education; Muin Serhan, CEO, Amsa Hospitality; and Amir Golbarg, SVP – Middle East and Africa, MINOR Hotels
There are also key Saudi-specific sessions covering mega-events, climate risk, sustainability, the future of tourism and wellness. Follow the FHS Saudi Arabia agenda for all details and updates.
Special events and focus sessions
Sunday and Monday:
• Exclusive Leadership Conversations: Shaping the Future of UN Tourism, featuring talks with two candidates for the UN Tourism Secretary-General posiiton: Shaikha Al Nowais, Corporate Vice President, Owner Relationship Management at Rotana and Harry Theoharis, Member of Parliament, Hellenic Parliament & Candidate for UN Tourism Secretary-General. The candidates will share their visions for the future of global tourism, discuss the strategic priorities for UN Tourism, and reflect on the critical challenges and opportunities ahead. Sunday:
• Next Gen Investment Forum: Uniting top leaders to tackle the most pressing issues on education, training, and talent retention in KSA’s hospitality industry. Monday:
• Start Up Den. One of the most popular, most anticipated annual events at FHS Saudi Arabia, the Start Up Den is a platform for entrepreneurs in the Saudi hospitality industry to present their business models to a panel of judges and investors. Participants gain exposure, potential mentorship, funding opportunities, and the chance to win prizes such as incubation support.
Tuesday:
- Future Leader Award: celebrating young, ambitious talent shaping the future of hospitality, tourism, and gastronomy in Saudi Arabia
- Impact Leader Award: a first-of-its-kind initiative recognising the outstanding Saudi national women who are shaping the future of the industry.
- Net Positive Solution Labs powered by the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. A dedicated platform for collaboration and innovation, focussing on advancing net positive strategies in hospitality, with a series of sessions exploring practical solutions for environmental and social impact.
- Master Class: The Fundamentals of Branded Residences in Saudi Arabia
FHS Saudi Arabia is at Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh, 11-13 May 2025, with the overarching theme of “Where Vision Shapes Opportunity”. More than 1,400 delegates are expected to attend. For full details and to register, visit https://www.futurehospitality.com/sa
Picture Credit: © FHS Saudi Arabia
The most interesting news
Lufthansa Group simplifies online bookings in cooperation with Visa
From October 2025, Lufthansa Group will introduce the online payment option 'Click to Pay' on the booking portals of its airlines Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines in cooperation with Visa.
UN Tourism and Università della Svizzera Italiana partner to incorporate Fashion into Cultural Tourism
Destinations are increasingly focusing on fashion to enhance the tourism experiences and empower local communities, especially among indigenous populations, as well as small-scale creators and businesses.
United Invests in Next Generation Blended Wing Aircraft Start-Up JetZero
The company is creating an aircraft design that has the potential to deliver jet fuel efficiency and a greatly enhanced customer experience.
Hard Rock Hotel London, Ontario, Officially Opens Its Doors
Canada’s first Hard Rock Hotel is officially open for business.
Emirates’ journey to Accessible Travel for all
Emirates rolling out ‘Travel Rehearsal’ programmes for children with autism across 17 cities, and named as the world’s first Autism Certified Airline™
easyJet puts spring 2026 flights on sale
easyJet has put its spring 2026 schedule on sale today providing customers with even more choice to book an early getaway next year.
UK Economy Loses More Than £2.2BN from International Traveller Spend, reveals WTTC
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has warned that the UK lost more than £2.2BN worth of exports as international visitors’ spending nosedived last year, compared to 2019, as the UK government continues to pile on taxes, red tape and slashe
40 New Hotels Over 10 Years
Wyndham and Soliteight Unveil Plans to Bring Super 8 Brand to Spain and Portugal
Singapore Airlines Elevates Customer Experience With $45 Million Investment In Changi Airport
Singapore Airlines (SIA) will transform its SilverKris and KrisFlyer Gold lounges at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 over the next two years, investing S$45 million to elevate the on-ground customer experience at its main hub.
All Nippon Airways And Singapore Airlines Deepen Commercial Cooperation
All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) will begin operating revenue-sharing flights between Singapore and Japan from September 2025, with the joint fare products for these services going on sale in May 2025, further deepening their com
A new local approach to shape a more inclusive hospitality
Accor launches the renewed 14th edition of the Take Off! Student Challenge.
Korean Air celebrates inaugural flight to Kobe
Korean Air marked the launch of its new Seoul Incheon-Kobe route, with commemorative events held at both Seoul Incheon International Airport and Kobe Airport on April 18. Korean Air is the first Korean flag carrier to operate flights on this route.
TAT x Leicester City Spotlighted Thai Soft Power on the Global Sports Stage
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, in partnership with Leicester City Football Club (LCFC), staged a high-impact promotional event during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Liverpool on
Costa Rica's Rainy Season Brings a Surge in Sportfishing Action and Travel Deals
The rainy season has officially arrived in Costa Rica, and with it comes some of the best fishing opportunities of the year.
Airline developments at Arabian Travel Market 2025
As the travel industry converges on Dubai for the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, travel professionals are eagerly anticipating the showcase of innovative products and services from major airlines. Here’s what can be expected from each of the maj
A boom in North African tourism sees more countries open up to visitors
North Africa is receiving a record number of tourists across all regions, from the traditional tourism powerhouses such as Morocco and Egypt, to the harder to reach corners, such as Algeria, Libya and Mauritania.
Turkey to begin restoration work on dome of Hagia Sophia
Turkey is set to begin restoration and reinforcement work on the dome of the Hagia Sophia, in one of the biggest repair projects carried out on the 1,486-year-old structure, experts said on Monday. Hagia Sophia was the largest cathedral in the worl
Four Off-the-Beaten Path Italian Destination Recommendations for 2025 From The Genuine Experience
Italy-bound travelers looking to beat the crowds this summer can turn to The Genuine Experience, a leader in sustainable travel that crafts immersive journeys focused on Italian culinary traditions, wellness, and adventure.
British Airways Now Offers Daily Dose of Pittsburgh
Operating until 30 October 2025, the vibrant city of Pittsburgh in Western Pennsylvania is even more accessible to those in search of an all American getaway.
Spain Launches Powerful New Direct AVE Service Between Barcelona and Seville
Travelling across Spain is about to get a whole lot faster thanks to a brand-new high-speed rail connection that links two of the country’s most beloved cities—Barcelona and Seville—without the need to transfer trains in Madrid.
TAT Hosts Amazing Thailand Health & Wellness Trade Meet 2025
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) successfully hosted the Amazing Thailand Health & Wellness Trade Meet 2025, welcoming 100 international buyers to Bangkok for a one-day showcase of the country’s health and wellness offerings.
