Dusit International is set to open its first operational hotel in Saudi Arabia this year, with the phased launch of Dusit Princess Al Majma'ah in Riyadh forming a centrepiece of the Thai group's 2026 expansion programme.
The opening is scheduled as part of the company's 2026 pipeline, which spans the Middle East, Asia and selected emerging markets. Across all projects progressing toward opening during the year, Dusit expects to add more than 1,400 rooms to its global portfolio — a figure the group is positioning as potentially one of its strongest annual openings on record.
Record development momentum
The Saudi debut follows what Dusit describes as the strongest development performance in its history. The group recorded an all-time high of 24 hotel signings in 2025, significantly strengthening its global pipeline across key growth markets in the Middle East, Asia and beyond.
Among those signings, Dusit confirmed Dusit Hotel Al Ahsa, located within the UNESCO-listed Al Ahsa Oasis in Saudi Arabia. The project is described as a significant addition to the group's Middle East portfolio and a marker of its stated commitment to culturally and environmentally significant destinations.
Group Chief Executive Officer Chanin Donavanik framed the expansion in measured terms. "The momentum achieved in 2025 reflects the strength of Dusit's long-term strategy and the clarity of our direction as a group," he said. "Our priority has been to build a high-quality, well-balanced portfolio that can perform across market cycles, supported by strong brands and a deep understanding of the destinations we serve. In 2026, we remain focused on disciplined execution and sustainable growth, while staying mindful of the broader economic and geopolitical environment."
Why it matters
For the travel trade, Dusit's Saudi entry is notable on two counts. First, it signals that mid-to-upper-tier Asian hotel brands — not only the established Western majors — are now securing footholds in one of the region's fastest-developing hospitality markets. Second, the pairing of an operational opening (Al Majma'ah) with a signed pipeline project tied to a UNESCO-designated site (Al Ahsa Oasis) suggests a deliberate portfolio strategy: balancing urban commercial demand with heritage and wellness-oriented product, the latter increasingly sought by high-yield leisure travellers. Tour operators and DMCs building Saudi itineraries will find the Al Ahsa signing particularly relevant, as UNESCO-listed destinations tend to anchor multi-night stays and support premium pricing. The 1,400-room addition across Dusit's 2026 pipeline also gives bedbanks and OTA contracting teams a concrete volume target to engage with across multiple markets simultaneously.
