Bart Leclercq features on panel at The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia

Words by BSBG Media Team, Tuesday 14 September 2021

Bart Leclercq, BSBG Head of Studio Riyadh, was invited to speak at The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia, as part of a panel discussion entitled: “The Future of Design in Hospitality”. Alongside Bart, the other panellists were Melissa Messmer, Senior Director of Interior Design at The Red Sea Development Company; Walid El Awadly, General Manager Hyatt Regency Riyadh-Olaya; and Bruno Chenesseau, Design Director of Kohler India & Europe. The panel discussion was moderated by David Keen, CEO of Quo – a digital agency focused on the international hospitality and tourism industry.

The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia has become a focal point for the rapidly growing hospitality sector in the Kingdom. Hundreds of the world’s leading brands, manufacturers and suppliers mingle with developers and operators at the event each year to network and present new ideas and products that will shape the future of the industry.

A huge draw for attendees are the forums and panel discussions held at the event. Bart was invited to discuss the future of hospitality design, during which the conversation covered topics such as a potential change in hospitality design purpose as a result of the pandemic, the importance of flexible spaces, the ambitious and rapid increase in activity within the construction sector in Saudi Arabia, the challenges this represents in terms of design, and maintaining quality of the end product, and the importance of hospitality design to the future of the Kingdom.

Bart explained more about the event. “The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia has become a mainstay of the hospitality sector here in the Kingdom,” he said. “The show was very well attended, with lots of great products and some fantastic discussions. It was a privilege to be asked to contribute to the future of hospitality panel discussion, and there were some very interesting topics covered.”

He continued: “We discussed the change in design purpose within hospitality, which has in recent years seen the emergence of more boutique and budget-friendly offerings that cater for modern-day travellers. While the appeal of 5-star luxury experiences will never fade, there is a trend among Millennials, for example, who desire value, functionality and flexibility to be able to work or even to cook meals from their room. This has become something of a prerequisite, and so there has been a marked increase in serviced apartments within many hotels, and the inclusion of small kitchenette areas with ovens and washing machines, which have helped the sector to compete with alternative accommodation options such as Air BnB.”

Bart also explained that the opportunity for truly distinctive and unique hospitality design presents itself within the Kingdom - something that was discussed at great length by the panel. “The Kingdom has a great opportunity to create a design narrative all of its own,” Bart said. “Saudi design may well come to reflect a new type of modernism in a way, and certainly stylistically there is great opportunity with Najdi architecture. This is unique to KSA, and blending this traditional style with modern architecture will achieve a very special outcome unlike anywhere else in the world. There is the opportunity to create iconic buildings that should not be missed.”

BSBG established its Riyadh office in the first quarter of 2021, and is currently engaged on a number of projects within the hospitality, education and retail sectors. More announcements and news on these projects will follow in due course.

BSBG Media Team

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