When completed in 2021, Jeddah Tower will be the tallest structure on Earth — reaching roughly one kilometer from sidewalk to spire and rising to the 168th floor. The tower will include luxury residences, Class A office space and a five-star Four Seasons hotel.
As the centerpiece of a 10-year, $20 billion development, the tower anchors Jeddah Economic City, a vast new waterfront district on the Red Sea. The project reflects Jeddah’s expanding international profile and Saudi Arabia’s broader ambitions to diversify its economy and attract global business.
Under Saudi Vision 2030, the kingdom is pursuing economic diversification and job creation by developing sectors such as health care, tourism and business events. The meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) segment is a strategic priority; the government invested roughly $1.6 billion in five major convention districts, including two in Jeddah: Jeddah Economic City and the area around King Abdulaziz International Airport. An expansion of that airport, officially opened this year, increased annual capacity from 13 million to more than 80 million passengers.
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s second-largest city, is the gateway to Islam’s holiest sites, Mecca and Medina. Each year the Hajj pilgrimage brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city. With the Haramain High Speed Rail now operating, pilgrims can travel from the new Jeddah airport to Mecca in just over two hours by train, compared with a roughly 10-hour car journey previously.
Long a major Red Sea port, Jeddah has a rich commercial history and a cosmopolitan culture shaped by centuries of visitors. Known as one of Saudi Arabia’s most open cities, Jeddah attracts tourists to its seaside resorts and the recently renovated Corniche, where properties such as the Jeddah Hilton offer panoramic sea views, private beach clubs and diving facilities. The Hilton hosts the city’s largest conference hall with capacity for up to 3,500 guests, plus outdoor event space for 1,000.
Waldorf Astoria Jeddah Kyoto Boardroom PHOTO: © WALDORF ASTORIA
Adjacent to the Hilton, the Waldorf Astoria Jeddah offers seven themed, soundproof boardrooms and luxury spa facilities. Further along the Corniche, the Rosewood Jeddah provides eight flexible meeting venues, including the Al Hijaz Hall and the Al Malaki Lounge, each accommodating up to 100 guests.
For larger trade shows, the Jeddah International Exhibition & Convention Center (also called the Jeddah Center for Forums & Events) is a multipurpose venue with a business center, restaurants and over 100,000 square feet of indoor event space. Its proximity to the airport makes it convenient for international delegations.
Beyond infrastructure, Saudi authorities are taking steps to make event planning and operations smoother. The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage is developing regulatory frameworks to streamline visa and licensing procedures. The Saudi Exhibition & Convention Bureau’s Envoy Program recruits public- and private-sector representatives to liaise with international organizations, build partnerships and attract business.
The Saudi Event Management Academy, launched in 2017 as the first institution of its kind in the region, delivers professional training for future leaders in the MICE sector. That year the MICE industry grew by 16 percent, drawing around 4.5 million attendees to more than 10,000 events; the sector is expected to expand significantly in the coming years.
In a major policy shift, the government recently began issuing tourist visas to non-Muslim leisure travelers and introduced an e-visa system that can grant entry within 24 hours. Announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, this change supports the nation’s diversification goals and is expected to boost the MICE industry. Authorities anticipate welcoming up to 30 million tourists by 2030. To accommodate that growth, the Saudi Public Investment Fund launched an initiative to develop 50 Red Sea islands into luxury, environmentally sensitive resorts as part of the Red Sea Project.
The Red Sea Project officially began in April, although geopolitical developments — including international scrutiny after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 — have affected investor confidence, and at least one high-profile investor withdrew following those reports.
UNIQUE VENUES
When the Park Hyatt Jeddah – Marina, Club & Spa opened on the Southern Corniche in 2009, Saudi Arabia’s hospitality landscape was much smaller. Since then Jeddah has added numerous properties, yet the Park Hyatt’s Lazurde Meetings and Events Center remains a favorite among planners.
Located beside the hotel, the center provides 27,000 square feet of meeting and banquet facilities, including an 8,100-square-foot ballroom that can be divided into three spaces, plus a courtyard that holds up to 900 guests. The venue offers private parking and a discreet entrance for attendees, supported by experienced staff known for meticulous service.
Hyatt’s flagship leisure property in Saudi Arabia is a billion-dollar complex with striking sea views and vistas of the King Fahd Fountain. The hotel’s refined interiors, designed by Gilles Quiffet, contribute to its strong appeal among leisure and business travelers alike.