Saudi Arabia’s tourism landscape is transforming at a remarkable speed. Vision 2030 has set ambitious targets to welcome 100 million visitors a year, develop giga-projects such as NEOM and the Red Sea, and diversify the economy beyond oil. Hotels are opening at record pace, and competition for discerning travelers is intensifying. Guests are no longer choosing comfort alone. They want experiences that respect the environment, connect them with local culture and support the Kingdom’s future-focused vision.

A scalable model for sustainable hospitality
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is answering this call through Wyndham Green, the company’s global sustainability program designed to make responsible practices measurable, achievable and repeatable across thousands of properties.

Across the Middle East, 90 percent of managed hotels and 85 percent of franchised hotels are now Wyndham Green certified and Saudi Arabia is leading the charge with six of the company’s ten Saudi properties already certified, including Wyndham Garden Dammam at the highest Level 5.

Certification is not only a badge but a roadmap. Wyndham Green guides hotels through five progressive levels, backed by measurable global progress. In 2024, Wyndham increased its Green Certification adoption by 32% worldwide, with hotels across nearly 80 countries now certified at Level 1 Core or higher, and 95% of managed hotels are Wyndham Green certified. The program’s impact is evident in performance metrics: since the baseline year, Wyndham has achieved a 12% reduction in global emissions intensity and a 29% reduction in water intensity. Regular audits and data reporting reinforce a culture of accountability, ensuring sustainability is embedded in daily operations rather than treated as a marketing exercise.

Wyndham has set clear 2025 performance targets, including reducing emissions intensity, lowering water consumption and expanding Wyndham Green certification across its global portfolio, and the company is already on track to meet many of these goals. Similar to Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030, these targets reflect a commitment to measurable progress and long-term impact, emphasizing that sustainability for Wyndham is both a strategic priority and a shared responsibility across every property.

Five ways Wyndham is turning vision into action
Below are five initiatives showing how Wyndham’s Saudi properties are embedding sustainability in ways that deliver tangible benefits for guests, owners and communities.

1. Smart energy management
From Wyndham Garden Dammam to Ramada by Wyndham Riyadh, intelligent building systems adjust lighting and air conditioning in real time, cutting HVAC energy use and lowering carbon emissions without compromising comfort. These upgrades save owners’ money and directly support Saudi Arabia’s net-zero ambitions.

2. Solar power in action
Harnessing the Kingdom’s abundant sunshine, Wyndham Garden Dammam is preparing to launch a solar project to power outdoor areas. By reducing reliance on the grid, the hotel demonstrates how renewable energy can become part of everyday hospitality.

3. Turning waste into resource
Properties across the portfolio are installing food digesters, recycling stations and water-saving fixtures. At Ramada Encore Muscat, whose practices are being replicated in Saudi hotels, on-site digesters convert organic waste into grey water, diverting tons of waste from landfill each year and reducing disposal costs.

4. Digital convenience with a green pay-off
Travelers increasingly expect seamless digital journeys, and the Gen Z guests who will dominate tomorrow’s market are the most digitally fluent of all. Wyndham properties in the Kingdom offer mobile booking, keyless check-in and real-time energy-use monitoring. These tools reduce paper, streamline operations and satisfy the habits of guests who plan and book almost entirely online.

5. Local sourcing and community partnerships
Whether through farm-to-table menus, locally inspired interiors, or partnerships with regional suppliers, Wyndham hotels reduce transportation emissions and keep economic benefits within Saudi communities. This work is supported by Wyndham’s Owner First approach, which ensures that franchisees have a voice in shaping sustainable practices. Feedback from owners directly informs decisions that optimize processes, support local sourcing and enhance the guest experience. As a result, guests enjoy a more authentic stay, while owners benefit from more efficient, community-driven operations.

From metrics to mindset
What sets Wyndham Green apart is its focus on culture and compliance. Hotels track energy, water, waste and community impact, but the deeper goal is to inspire teams to see sustainability as integral to hospitality excellence. Measurable results, such as 30 percent reductions in water consumption at several Level 5 hotels, demonstrate that environmental and financial performance can rise together.

“Guests want to know their stay makes a positive impact,” says Dimitris Manikis, President EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “Our program shows that sustainability and profitability can grow together, and that even small changes add up to significant results.”

Aligning with Saudi Arabia’s tourism vision
As Saudi Arabia works to position itself as one of the world’s most exciting new destinations, the hospitality industry has a pivotal role to play. Vision 2030 calls for tourism development that preserves natural assets, reduces environmental impact and provides meaningful employment for Saudi citizens. Wyndham’s rapid scale-up of Wyndham Green demonstrates how global hotel brands can support these national objectives while creating value for owners and guests.

Travelers will increasingly choose brands that combine comfort with responsibility. By embedding Wyndham Green across its Saudi portfolio, Wyndham is proving that sustainability can be implemented quickly and effectively, helping the Kingdom meet its Vision 2030 goals while offering stays that are both memorable and meaningful.