The publicly listed developer Knowledge Economic City participated as a strategic partner at the Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia 2026 in Riyadh.
The event took place at the Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah under the theme “Where Opportunity Meets Capital.” During the summit, the developer presented various real estate and tourism opportunities within its portfolio. This participation aligns with recent economic reforms in Saudi Arabia, including new regulations for non-Saudi real estate ownership.
Investment Opportunities in Madinah
Marko Vucinic, Executive Director of Investment and Asset Management, represented the company on a panel discussing investment and operations. He highlighted the long-term fundamentals of the Madinah market, noting that demand remains resilient due to faith-based visitation. According to Vucinic, international pilgrims arriving from outside the Kingdom rose from 6.2 million in 2016 to over 18 million in 2025. Consequently, independent forecasts indicate a shortfall of more than 100,000 residential and hospitality units in the city.
The Masterplan of Knowledge Economic City
To address this structural gap, the masterplan of Knowledge Economic City is designed to scale to approximately 42,000 hotel keys and 40,000 residential units. The company has committed over SAR 24 billion in investment across its four flagship destinations. These destinations include Madinah Gate, Multaqa AlMadinah, the Islamic World District, and Al Alyaa. Furthermore, the developer has secured partnerships with international hospitality brands such as Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Radisson, and Hyatt.
“International capital is no longer watching Saudi Arabia from a distance. It is here, actively evaluating opportunities, and the conversations we are having in Riyadh reflect growing institutional confidence in Madinah’s long-term investment potential.”
Marko Vucinic, Executive Director of Investment & Asset Management
Regulatory Reforms and Market Growth
The recent approval of executive regulations governing non-Saudi real estate ownership is expected to attract more international investors. Specifically, Madinah is one of the designated geographic areas eligible under this new regulatory framework. As a result, Knowledge Economic City held strategic meetings with institutional investors, hospitality groups, and investment funds during the event. These discussions aimed to explore partnership opportunities across its growing portfolio of destinations.
Future Outlook for the Development
The masterplan covers 6.8 million square meters within the sacred boundaries of Madinah. It is located near the Prophet’s Mosque, the Haramain High-Speed Rail station, and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport. Ultimately, the project supports the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 by contributing to the Pilgrim Experience Program and the Quality of Life Program. The developer continues to advance its infrastructure and retail developments to meet national targets.
