Hotel101’s global “one room” hotel chain is poised to disrupt the tourism industry by offering identical, standardized hotel rooms globally. In standardization, Hotel101 sees a global opportunity in the hospitality space that brings unbeatable efficiency, especially for the value segment so customers know exactly what to expect wherever they may be in the world. Hotel101’s asset-light ‘condotel’ business model is designed to scale efficiently while maximizing value for both unit owners and guests.

The partnership unites Hotel 101’s high-efficiency HappyRoom concept and condo-hotel funding model with Horizon’s deeply rooted market expertise and expert connections in the region.

“We are inspired by the leaders of Saudi Arabia and their sheer determination and will power to make things happen, as such, we are confident in the plans they have laid out for the region and we believe the Hotel101 concept will be able to make a significant contribution in terms of room keys to complement the 2030 Vision for the Kingdom, and to form part of our global vision of 1 million Hotel101 rooms worldwide,” said Hotel101 Global Founder Edgar “Injap” Sia II.

“We feel very fortunate to have found the right local partners to rapidly expand the Hotel101 brand in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is one of the 25 countries we have identified for the initial expansion of Hotel101. We see tremendous opportunities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia given the high growth in tourism both domestic and international. We believe Saudi Arabia will be one of the most exciting markets for Hotel101 globally,” said Hotel101 CEO Hannah Yulo-Luccini.

“With Hotel 101’s rapid-build model and Horizon’s local know-how, we will add 10,000 quality, affordable rooms across the Kingdom—supporting Vision 2030, creating Saudi jobs, and expanding options for pilgrims, tourists, and business travelers alike.” said Horizon Group CEO Abdulrahman Sharbatly.

Hotel101 recognizes the strategic opportunities presented by the Saudi market and its Vision 2030 plan. Hotel101 is committed to rolling out a standardized and predictable Hotel offering on average 500 rooms per site which can cater to the evolving and growing demands of the Saudi market.

In 2023, Saudi Arabia welcomed 27 million international tourists and 79 million domestic tourists breaching the 100 million visitor mark. A total spend of USD 67 billion showcased the robust tourism sector of Saudi Arabia. This is in line with the target of reaching over 150m tourists by 2030. This provides substantial opportunities in support services and infrastructure in areas such as Hotels, Shopping, F&B and transportation.

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The twins’ surgery, conducted in Riyadh on June 6, 2024, was made possible through a royal decree from Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Speaking during a celebration marking Saudi Arabia’s 94th National Day, Ambassador Al-Qahtani expressed his nation’s pride in the achievement.

“Our partnership has been enriched by shared interests across various fields, particularly in the humanitarian domain,” he said, noting that the surgery exemplifies the Kingdom’s humanitarian commitment as well as the strengthening of its longstanding ties with the Philippines.

Ten years ago in 2004, the Kingdom also successfully separated twins Anne and May.

Beyond humanitarian achievements, Ambassador Al-Qahtani touched on Saudi Arabia’s increasing prominence on the global stage. He announced that the Kingdom is set to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034, a historic milestone for the nation.

“The World Cup will be the largest edition ever held in a single country, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s exceptional capabilities in hosting international events,” he said.

This follows Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the World Expo 2030, underscoring its ambitions to become a global hub for tourism and culture.

Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Eduardo “Ed” De Vega, who attended the event, lauded Saudi Arabia for its humanitarian contributions and expressed optimism about further strengthening bilateral ties.

“The Kingdom is the land of innovation. Our countries have enjoyed more than five decades of warm and vibrant times, marked by mutual respect, cooperation, and friendship. In the years to come, we look forward to strengthening our partnership, and we look forward to the continuation of mutual interests,” De Vega said.

On a lighter note, De Vega also shared his excitement for the World Cup, humorously stating that the Philippines could easily support Saudi Arabia in their bid for victory, given their triumph over Argentina in the 2022 tournament.

“If Saudi can beat the World Cup champions, they can certainly win,” he said.

De Vega also highlighted the contributions of over a million Filipinos working in Saudi Arabia, praising their role in strengthening the economic and cultural connections between the two nations.

“Our partnership has stood the test of time, and we look forward to further collaboration and shared success,” he said.

As Saudi Arabia continues to make strides on the global stage, the partnership between the two nations is expected to flourish in the years to come, particularly in the areas of healthcare, tourism, and cultural exchange.