Hospitality giants Minor Hotels have embarked on an audacious expansion into Saudi Arabia, marking a massive step in the company’s plans to grow its popularity in the Middle East.
The region is gradually becoming a key destination for tourism and entertainment, which is driven by ambitious government initiatives such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
The Saudis are still keen to diversify their economy away from the energy sector and have now set their sights on the hospitality industry. However, Saudi Arabia is just a piece of Minor Hotels’ comprehensive long-term plans.
The Thailand-based company is planning to open over 50 new hotels in the Middle East, including 30 in Saudi Arabia, and the audacious move could cement their spot as the face of the industry.
Minor Hotels’ rapid growth has also raised the possibility of the company using their experience in the iGaming industry to integrate a casino into its properties. This strategy has worked well in other regions.
Minor Hotels Portfolio & Casino Experience
Minor Hotels is a prominent name in the global hospitality industry, and they have already made their mark in the gaming world through their NH Hotel Casino in Mar del Plata, Argentina.
The hotel, which is located in the same building as the Central Casino, is close to the beach, tourist attractions and commercial areas.
The property is evidence of the company’s expertise in perfectly blending luxury accommodations with high-end gaming services.
The success of the model in Argentina could serve as a reference for future ventures, especially in regions that are becoming more open to the idea of gambling.
Historically, gambling has traditionally been restricted in the Middle East, but recent developments indicate that the brakes are starting to come off, especially in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The UAE recently issued its first lottery licence and talks about the potential introduction of casinos have started to gain traction, which could play into the hands of Minor Hotels.
Regional tourists often patronise the best Arab casinos online, but there’s a growing demand for land-based venues.
With Minor Hotels always on the prowl for new markets to explore, they could view the softened stance towards gambling in the Middle East as a green light to integrate casinos into some of their luxury resorts.
The Middle East’s Changing Landscape: Saudi Arabia is Making Moves
Saudi Arabia has made several bold moves since venturing into the global tourism market.
The Kingdom has invested heavily in infrastructure and has also been relaxing some of their more conservative cultural norms to attract foreign visitors.
One of the clearest signs of this shift is in the entertainment sector, where new developments are making the country more appealing to tourists.
Gambling is still illegal in Saudi Arabia, but neighbouring countries such as the UAE have shown a willingness to embrace the idea, so it may only be a matter of time before the Saudis jump on the bandwagon.
Minor Hotels is already positioned to exploit Saudi Arabia’s growing tourism market. The company has established key partnerships with local stakeholders, including the Saudi Tourism Development Fund (TDF), to align with the Kingdom’s long-term vision.
With plans to open 30 new hotels across Saudi Arabia in the coming years, Minor Hotels could become the face of the country’s tourism renaissance.
Building strong relationships with Saudi authorities and aligning their projects with the country’s goals would help Minor Hotels adapt without a hitch if the Kingdom legalises gambling.
If casinos become part of the entertainment offerings in Saudi Arabia, Minor Hotels could easily lead the way, thanks to their experience in the global hospitality industry and their existing partnerships.
Feasibility & Potential Benefits of Casino Integration
As Minor Hotels expands rapidly across the Middle East, the luxury hotel chain may have an opportunity to take their business to the next level by introducing casinos to their Saudi properties.
However, if the company were to explore this possibility, several important factors should be considered.
Saudi Arabia has yet to show any indication of their willingness to shift their stance on gambling, so Minor Hotels would have to find a way around that.
But this is not uncharted territory for the hotel group. They have previously shown a strong ability to adapt their offerings to local cultures and will back themselves to repeat that success in Saudi Arabia without going against the established rules.
If Saudi Arabia legalises casinos, its inclusion in luxury hotels could boost tourism. High rollers, especially those who seek exclusive experiences, will be drawn to such offerings.
In addition to the obvious gaming element, casinos also help generate revenue from associated elements such as dining, shopping and other entertainment options.
That combination could help Minor Hotels generate significant revenue, improve their guest experience and boost profitability. A casino could become a key attraction, drawing more visitors to the hotel and elevating it to a new level of luxury.
