Saudi Hotels Show Strength While UAE Demand Sinks

While UAE hotels are struggling with widespread cancellations and low bookings after tourist demand collapsed last month, Saudi cities are holding up better, according to Radisson. 

“Domestic demand, fewer available rooms, and strategic geographic positioning have all helped,” said Tim Cordon, Radisson’s COO for Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia Pacific, referring to Saudi’s relative strength. 

“Saudi Arabia is a more resilient market because it has a population of 35–36 million and fewer hotel rooms than Dubai,” Cordon told Skift. “Cities like Jeddah on the Red Sea, further from Iran, continue to perform better, while the Eastern Province is more affected due to its proximity to oil fields [which are being targeted in the conflict]. Riyadh is a mixed bag, but overall Saudi is holding up better than other parts of the region.”

With 217,853 keys, the UAE has roughly 1 hotel room for every 53 residents, compared to Saudi Arabia’s