Hospitality developer Blacksand has finalised a major agreement with Marriott International to build ten new hotels across Saudi Arabia. The milestone multi-brand transaction will add more than 1,300 rooms to the country over the next four years. The project establishes a long-term commercial partnership designed to align with the state’s ongoing urban expansion and tourism goals.

The expansive rollout covers multiple market segments by incorporating several distinct Marriott concepts. Planned developments will feature luxury, premium, select and extended-stay variations. The portfolio includes St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Hotels, Autograph Collection, Moxy Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott and Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy.

Design planning and initial construction phases are already underway for the properties. The companies intend to manage phased rollouts through to 2030, spreading the upcoming locations across several major towns throughout the country. Regional operations will commence in the capital city, with the first hotel expected to open in Riyadh.

The extensive corporate expansion is projected to generate substantial local employment opportunities. Upon total completion, the ten sites are expected to create more than 6,000 full-time jobs. A minimum of 60% of these newly created positions will be reserved specifically for Saudi nationals.

“This agreement marks a defining milestone for Blacksand and reflects the scale of our ambition. Our collaboration with Marriott International brings globally recognised brands together and a shared commitment to creating exceptional hospitality offerings in the Kingdom. An agreement of this calibre is one that supports the shaping of the future of an already ambitious nation, and we are proud to be there setting the benchmark for quality, experience, and long-term value,” said Omar Alabdullatif, Chief Executive Officer of Blacksand.

“This landmark deal with Blacksand reflects Marriott’s continued focus on diversifying our portfolio across Saudi Arabia to deliver meaningful hospitality experiences in line with the country’s tourism priorities. From immersive resort escapes and design-led stays to vibrant social hubs and extended-stay living, we look forward to introducing a range of experiences tailored to meet the evolving needs of travellers visiting the Kingdom,” added Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer for Europe, Middle East & Africa at Marriott International.

The primary objective of the alliance is to establish a strong commercial foundation for future real estate ventures. Both corporations have confirmed their intent to continue scaling their combined hotel portfolio across the region while supporting the national effort to position the territory as a major international holiday destination.