Riyadh-based Blacksand and Marriott International have agreed to develop ten hotels in Saudi Arabia over the next four years. They announced the signing on June 23, 2026, during the Future Hospitality Summit in Saudi Arabia. Together, the hotels will add more than 1,300 rooms to the Kingdom. Furthermore, they will support the country’s wider tourism and urban development plans.
What did Blacksand and Marriott announce?
The agreement sets out a multi-brand development programme for 2030. Blacksand and Marriott International will work together on the projects, with Marriott bringing its brands, operating standards and global reach. Moreover, both companies describe the deal as a long-term partnership. As a result, each side expects to grow the joint portfolio over time.
Blacksand calls the agreement a defining moment for the company. It points to the scale of its ambition. Marriott, in turn, frames the deal as part of a broader push to diversify its presence in Saudi Arabia and align its stays with the country’s tourism priorities.
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Which Marriott brands are part of the deal?
The ten hotels draw on Marriott’s luxury, premium, select and extended-stay tiers. Specifically, the line-up includes St. Regis Hotels and Resorts, Marriott Hotels, Autograph Collection, Moxy Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott and Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy.
That spread is deliberate. It runs from resort escapes and design-led stays through to social hubs and longer-term serviced living. In addition, each property pairs the prestige of an established global brand with concepts shaped by the local setting. The aim is for every hotel to feel rooted in its city.
Where and when will the hotels open?
The projects are at the design planning and early construction stages. For now, openings will be phased through to 2030. Meanwhile, properties are planned for several cities across the Kingdom. The first hotel is expected to open in Riyadh, and the renders released with the announcement show a dual-branded Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn.
Who is Blacksand?
Blacksand is a Riyadh-based developer and part of Alabdullatif Holding Group, a Saudi industrial house with more than 75 years of heritage. Moreover, it runs a development pipeline of around SAR 40 billion across the Kingdom. The Marriott agreement sits within that wider plan, so it forms part of a broader hospitality push rather than a single bet.
What does the agreement mean for jobs in the Kingdom?
Once all ten hotels are operating, they will likely create more than 6,000 full-time roles. Moreover, at least Saudi nationals will get at least 60 per cent of them. As a result, the development is directly tied to the country’s push to build skills within its workforce.
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Why does the deal matter for Saudi tourism?
Saudi Arabia is investing heavily to grow as a travel destination. Therefore, large hotel commitments are a useful signal of confidence. In addition, the multi-brand mix reaches business travellers, families, design-minded visitors and long-stay guests through a single pipeline.
For both companies, the value lies in the long view. Blacksand gains a deep operating partner for a portfolio it plans to expand. Marriott, meanwhile, brings the weight of a group with roughly 10,000 properties across 146 countries to a fast-growing market. The first Riyadh opening will be the early test of that ambition.
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