The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL)  is set to enter the the Saudi Arabian market in January 2023 with a 340-room property in Makkah, according to a report from Financial Express.  

IHCL signed the property in partnership with Umm Al Qura Development and Construction. The companies will develop the new Taj hotel as part of the King Abdul Aziz Road urban rejuvenation project. It will be located near the Grand Mosque of Masjid Al-Haram. 

"We are honoured to partner with Umm Al Qura Development and Construction Company in bringing the first Taj hotel to Saudi Arabia." Stated Puneet Chhatwal, MD and CEO of IHCL.

"This signing is aligned to our strategy of a strong focus on global growth markets and to be present where our guests travel to. We are committed to expanding our presence in the MENA region."

The new Taj will be IHCL's fourth project in the Middle East and North Africa. The group currently manages a hotel in Dubai's Burj Khaifa downtown district, while another two Dubai hotels are in the pipeline. They are slated to open in the next 12-18 months. The property will also expand IHCLs portfolio of 145 hotels in four continents and 11 countries.  

IHCL recently added the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Andamans to the Taj brands portfolio in India, according to a South China Morning Post report. The 46-acre resort is the first international property in the archipelago. The 50-villa property is on Havelock Islands Radhanagar Beach. 

To continue its expansion in India, IHCL opened its second hotel in Goa, India under its Ginger Hotels brand in late March 2018, according to Travel Trends Today. The 24-room Ginger Goa, Dona Paula is between the Dona Paula and Vainguinim beaches.