IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, has signed a management agreement with Knowledge Economic City (KEC) Co., a public listed company in Saudi Arabia, for two new hotels in the Islamic World District (IWD) within the holy city of Al Madinah.
The agreement will bring 1,057 rooms to Al Madinah, advancing KEC’s pivotal role in transforming the city into a world-class destination via enhanced infrastructure, particularly in religious and cultural experiences.
The Knowledge Economic City (KEC) in Madinah is a transformative project aimed at enhancing the city’s infrastructure and economy. A key component is the Islamic World District (IWD), a mixed-use development focusing on world-class hospitality for Umrah and Hajj pilgrims. The district will offer a seamless experience for guests, combining hotels, residential areas, commercial spaces, and cultural attractions. By leveraging its strategic location near the Prophet’s Mosque and Al-Haramain High-Speed Railway, the IWD is set to become a major hub for visitors and residents alike, contributing to the Holy Cit’s growth and development.
The 552-keys Holiday Inn & Suites IWD KEC and 505-keys Holiday Inn Express IWD KEC are scheduled to open in January 2029 in KEC’s cluster 01, a prime slot directly at the entrance of the Islamic World District (IWD) and parallel to the Haramain train station. Featuring contemporary Najdi architectural style that blends modern design with Islamic cultural influences, both hotels will serve as the primary gateway to Madinah for international travelers arriving by air or rail.
Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG, commented on the signing: “We are thrilled to expand our presence in the holy city of Al Madinah with two exceptional properties that will elevate the cultural experience of our guests while providing contemporary amenities. As part of our ongoing commitment to delivering extraordinary hospitality, we are honored to contribute to the development of the Knowledge Economic City and support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. These hotels will cater to the millions of religious pilgrims visiting Al Madinah annually, as well as business travelers, offering world-class facilities in a location that seamlessly blends tradition with modern convenience.
Amin Shaker, Chairman, Knowledge Economic City, said: “Under the visionary leadership of His Highness Prince Salman bin Sultan, we remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing the hospitality sector in Al Madinah in line with Vision 2030. We are delighted to partner with IHG Hotels & Resorts on this significant development within the Knowledge Economic City. These two new hotels will play a pivotal role in elevating Al Madinah’s status as a premier travelers’ destination, offering exceptional hospitality services to the city’s increasing number of visitors.”
Mohammad Al Mubarak, Chief Executive Officer, Knowledge Economic City, added: “This signing with IHG Hotels & Resorts is a testament to the unparalleled hospitality standards we plan to bring to the master-development and to Madinah as a destination. We have found in IHG a partner that shares our values of quality, professionalism, and customer and investor support, while simultaneously fostering local capacity development. As we embark on this partnership to bring two new IHG hotels to Al Madinah, we aim to set new benchmarks in accommodation, innovation, and guest experiences within the Holy City.”
The Holiday Inn & Suites IWD KEC will feature a large All-Day-Dining outlet and an open lobby lounge making it ideal for both leisure and business travelers, while the Holiday Inn Express IWD KEC, will provide a more streamlined experience with accessible and comfortable accommodations aimed at religious pilgrims and value-conscious travelers.
Guests of both hotels will benefit from IHG’s best-in-class loyalty program, IHG One Rewards, giving them richer benefits that can be availed on IHG’s new mobile app. The benefits range from suite upgrades and annual lounge memberships to extended check-outs, and much more, depending on the chosen benefit level.
IHG currently operates 43 hotels across six brands in Saudi Arabia, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites, voco, and Six Senses, with 44 properties planned in the pipeline or already under development.
