Knowledge Economic City and Archipelago International Establish a New Hospitality Management Company Through a Unique Joint Venture as Part of a Major Expansion in Saudi Arabia’s Hotel Sector

Knowledge Economic City (KEC), the pioneering publicly listed master developer operating under the regulation of the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority and contributing to Madinah’s urban and economic transformation, has announced the signing of a strategic joint venture with Archipelago International with equal shares. The new partnership aims to establish a specialized hospitality management company, develop a Saudi hotel brand, and deliver the first hotel project in Madinah as part of KEC’s broader expansion in the Kingdom’s hospitality sector.

This joint venture reflects KEC’s commitment to strengthening its position as an integrated investment platform through partnerships with global industry leaders, while developing scalable operating models that deliver sustainable economic value. The newly established company will operate under unified operational governance and a clear mandate to manage and operate hotels and hospitality assets within KEC’s destinations in Madinah, with the potential to expand its services to additional locations across Saudi Arabia in future phases.

Launching One of Madinah’s Largest Hotel Developments: 2,500 Keys

The joint venture’s first project represents a major milestone in the local hospitality landscape, with the development of a hotel comprising approximately 2,500 keys, one of the largest hotel assets ever launched by KEC and among the most significant new hospitality projects entering the Saudi market. The development is designed to serve the growing number of visitors to Madinah, offering large-scale, modern, and efficient accommodation with unmatched amenities.

The hotel will also serve as the launch platform for a new Saudi hotel brand, inspired by national identity and the cultural spirit of Madinah. Designed for scalability, the brand is structured for future growth through franchise and licensing models across the Kingdom, supporting broader diversification efforts within Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector.

The project will operate under a unified hotel management model centered on operational efficiency, asset optimization, and enabling national talent across the full spectrum of hotel operations, creating direct and indirect employment opportunities within the sector.