InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed an agreement with Mohammed Abdulaziz Al Rajhi & Sons Investment Co, to convert and rebrand two hotels in Saudi Arabia.

Under the management agreements, Coral Hotel will be converted to voco Al Khobar, the first voco in the country, and Holiday Inn Al Khobar Ulaya, will undergo major refurbishment to be converted from an independently run hotel to the first managed Holiday Inn in Al Khobar.

Both hotels are located in the centre of Al Khobar, home to Saudi Arabia’s oil and petrochemical industry. In recent years, its large resident expatriate population has transformed the city into a commercial hub while its waterfront location attracts a large number of domestic tourists.

Scheduled to open in 2019, voco Al Khobar will offer guests the informality of an individual hotel, with the quality and reassurance of a global brand. Guests can take advantage of a range of amenities including an outdoor pool and gym, as well as the choice of two dining options, a business centre, and 14 meeting rooms.

The Holiday Inn Al Khober Ulaya, is strategically positioned to cater to both corporate and leisure travellers. When the refurbished hotel opens in 2020, guests will have access to a fully equipped gym and swimming pool, as well as 4,000sqm of meeting space. There will also be three F&B options for guests to choose from.

Speaking of the signing, Pascal Gauvin, managing director, India, Middle East, and Africa, IHG, said: “Saudi Arabia has always been a key market for IHG, and we have built a strong portfolio of brands across the country over the years. We are delighted to be continuing our expansion across the country, in partnership with Mohammed AbdulAziz Al Rajhi & Sons Investment Co. This agreement is particularly exciting as we are debuting the voco brand in Saudi Arabia in line with our plans to accelerate the growth of the recently launched upscale brand across the region.”

Yazid Bin Mohamed Al-Rajhi, board chairman, Mohammed AbdulAziz Al Rajhi & Sons Investment Co, commented: “It’s an extremely exciting time for Saudi Arabia, as the tourism landscape is rapidly changing. We are delighted to join forces with IHG, which has a strong legacy in the country, to leverage the growth opportunities that Saudi Vision 2030 presents, particularly in the burgeoning midscale and upscale market.”