PIF’s Soudah Development partners with FII Institute to boost sustainable tourism 

PIF’s Soudah Development partners with FII Institute to boost sustainable tourism 
Soudah Development aims to develop Soudah and parts of Rijal Almaa into a world-class luxury mountain tourism destination. Soudah Peaks
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Updated 21 October 2025
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PIF’s Soudah Development partners with FII Institute to boost sustainable tourism 

PIF’s Soudah Development partners with FII Institute to boost sustainable tourism 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund–owned Soudah Development has signed a strategic partnership with the Future Investment Initiative Institute to advance sustainable investment and tourism in the Aseer region. 

The collaboration, unveiled ahead of the FII9 conference in Riyadh from Oct. 27 to 30, will see both entities cooperate on thought leadership programs, global forums, and innovation initiatives aimed at promoting environmental responsibility and community development, the company said in a statement. 

Established in 2021, the company aims to develop Soudah and parts of Rijal Almaa into a world-class luxury mountain tourism destination, emphasizing authentic cultural experiences and immersion in nature in line with Saudi Vision 2030. 

Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector has exceeded expectations, hitting its original Vision 2030 target of 100 million visitors seven years early, and now aims for 150 million tourists by the end of the decade. 

Richard Attias, chairman of the executive committee and acting CEO of the FII Institute, said: “Tourism is a powerful engine for economic growth and cultural exchange, but its future depends on regenerative approaches that restore ecosystems, empower communities, and preserve authenticity.”  

He added: “Together, we aim to demonstrate how tourism can be both a driver of prosperity and a catalyst for long-term resilience.” 

The partnership underscores the FII Institute’s focus on sustainable investment and supports Soudah Development’s efforts to advance tourism and economic growth 

“Saudi Arabia is accelerating the realization of Vision 2030, and Soudah Development is proud to be contributing through Soudah Peaks, the Kingdom’s first luxury mountain destination,” said Saleh Aloraini, CEO of Soudah Development. 

He added: “As a strategic partner of FII Institute, we are showcasing how this flagship project is driving the development of the Aseer region, attracting investment, and advancing the Kingdom’s economic diversification agenda.” 


Concierge demand surges as CEOs relocate to Saudi Arabia

Concierge demand surges as CEOs relocate to Saudi Arabia
Updated 12 November 2025
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Concierge demand surges as CEOs relocate to Saudi Arabia

Concierge demand surges as CEOs relocate to Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia attracts a growing influx of CEOs and high-net-worth individuals, the demand for concierge and lifestyle management services is soaring — with requests becoming increasingly complex and personalized.

“There’s an avalanche of people, for all the reasons that you would know, relocating to Saudi Arabia,” said Sir Ben Elliot, founder of global luxury concierge firm Quintessentially, in an interview with Arab News during TOURISE — the Saudi Ministry of Tourism-powered global summit held in Riyadh from Nov. 11–13.

For many new arrivals, the focus is on navigating practicalities: opening bank accounts, securing cars and drivers, hiring domestic staff, and finding schools for their children. “You need real proactive help to sort stuff out,” Elliot said. “Some of that stuff is a minefield.”

Over the past 18 months, demand has not only increased but also evolved, prompting Quintessentially to enhance its local operations. Elliot explained that the company is merging international expertise with Saudi talent to ensure high service standards from the outset.

“We brought people from our offices around the world working with young, brilliant, talented Saudis so that the service that you can expect when you arrive is really ticked off,” he said.

Elliot noted that Quintessentially’s outbound support for Saudi members is also expanding, reflecting the growing global mobility of Saudi travelers. “What we’re seeing from Saudis themselves is huge,” he said. “We have great people on the ground servicing that.”

According to Elliot, the definition of luxury is shifting from material possessions to emotion-driven, experiential value — especially among younger consumers. “If you think about the history of luxury, it has often been about things, materials,” he said. “They want to experience, they want to feel.”

He emphasized that brands in hospitality, retail, and travel need to focus on “meaningful human touch and relationships.”

Elliot highlighted Saudi Arabia’s approach to merging sustainability with luxury as a key opportunity for the sector. “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of trying to marry sustainable development alongside a kind of luxury experience,” he said.

He pointed to Diriyah as an example of how cultural authenticity can coexist with modern hospitality and retail offerings. “Whenever I take friends who have never been to Saudi Arabia, to Diriyah, that to me is a physical manifestation of where culture (and) sustainability meets a pretty kind of modern experience,” he said. “It feels absolutely real and authentic.”

Elliot said hosting TOURISE in Riyadh was symbolic of the city’s rapid evolution. “Everyone can see what’s happened here in the last 6 or 7 years, it’s kind of seeing is believing,” he said.

He also reframed sustainability as a shared responsibility across industries, warning that leaders who fail to prioritize environmental and social impact risk alienating younger generations.

Despite the rise of technology, Elliot underscored that the essence of travel and tourism remains deeply human. “We humans want to interact with other humans,” he said.