Your Weekly Round Up

YOUR WEEKLY ROUNDUP

In case you missed this weeks latest developments in the growth of Saudi Arabia we’ve compiled the best articles for you.

In Today’s Edition:

• King Salman Orders Naming Madinah Airport Road After Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

• Saudi Arabia’s PIF Acquires 54% Majority Stake in MBC Group for $2 Billion

• Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Homes Hit $40 Million Amid Property Boom

• Riyadh and Jeddah Are Set to Add 2,380 New Hotel Rooms by Late 2025

• Today’s Newsletter’s Sponsor

TRAVEL

✨King Salman Orders Naming Madinah Airport Road After Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

King Salman has ordered the renaming of the Madinah Airport Road to honor Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Key Takeaways:

• The road will now be called Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Road.

• The road passes through the Rua Al Madinah project, which is described as the world's largest hospitality initiative. It will offer 47,000 hotel rooms and aims to contribute significantly to the Kingdom's GDP.

• The renaming recognizes the Crown Prince's efforts in driving national development and improving the experience for the millions of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims who use the route annually.

The newly named 13-kilometer road is a crucial artery connecting Masjid An Nabawi (The Prophet's Mosque) to the Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport and the Royal Terminal. Read more

THE PIF

✨Saudi Arabia’s PIF Acquires 54% Majority Stake in MBC Group for $2 Billion

The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has completed the acquisition of a 54% majority stake in the region's largest media company, MBC Group, in a deal valued at approximately $2 billion.

Key Takeaways:

• The PIF acquired a 54% majority stake from Istedamah Holding Company for SAR 7.469 billion (nearly $2 billion).

• The deal follows a strong period for MBC, which reported a 41% increase in net profits in the first half of 2025.

• The acquisition aligns with the PIF's core mission to diversify the national economy by investing in high-growth, non-oil sectors, such as media and entertainment.

The PIF's majority acquisition of MBC Group is a transformative investment that injects substantial capital and strategic direction into the Middle East's media landscape. Read more

RED SEA GLOBAL

✨ Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Homes Hit $40 Million Amid Property Boom

Saudi Arabia's luxury real estate market along the Red Sea is experiencing a major boom, exemplified by homes on Laheq Island being priced at up to $40 million.

Key Takeaways:

• Luxury homes on Laheq Island are fetching prices as high as $40 million (SAR 150 million), reflecting the market's rapid surge.

• Developed by Red Sea Global, the 400-hectare Laheq Island will feature 528 villas, 221 apartments, two resorts, an 18-hole golf course, and a 115-berth marina.

• The residences are specifically designed to attract ultra-high-net-worth global buyers seeking second or third luxury homes.

The property boom along Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast, highlighted by the $40 million price tag for exclusive homes on Laheq Island, marks the Kingdom's strong entry into the global ultra-luxury real estate market. Read more

HOSPITALITY

✨ Riyadh and Jeddah Are Set to Add 2,380 New Hotel Rooms by Late 2025

The hospitality sectors in Riyadh and Jeddah are set for rapid expansion, collectively scheduled to add 2,380 new hotel rooms by late 2025, driven by strong demand and the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

Key Takeaways:

• The cities are adding a substantial number of rooms, with Riyadh already having added 690 new rooms in the first half of the year, bringing its total to approximately 49,100 keys.

• The growth is fueled by government initiatives under Saudi Vision 2030 to diversify the economy, increase the contribution of tourism to the national GDP, and attract 150 million annual visitors by 2030.

• The holy cities of Makkah and Madinah are also experiencing a major supply push, expected to add a combined 6,300 new keys in the latter half of the year.

The substantial addition of 2,380 hotel rooms in Riyadh and Jeddah by late 2025 underscores the Kingdom's commitment to developing its tourism infrastructure. Read more

This Newsletter Is Sponsored by Welcome Saudi

The No. 1 Travel Website To Discover The Best Hotels, Restaurants & Tourist Destinations in Saudi Arabia