Riyadh startup HiHome opens Saudi family homes to visitors
Founded by Riyadh-based Alsadoun, HiHome lets tourists stay with local families in their homes rather than in hotels, a model that began in 2019 as Saudi Arabia started issuing tourist visas.
HiHome is a platform that connects visitors with Saudi families who host them in their homes. The idea came from Alsadoun, who wanted travellers to experience everyday life through a household rather than a hotel lobby. The company launched in 2019, the same year Saudi Arabia issued tourist visas for the first time in its modern history, and its first host was her father.
Alsadoun said the concept initially raised questions about whether people would want to enter a Saudi family's home. The pandemic halted travel and gatherings, which were central to the business, and she said that when the world reopened, guests were seeking real connections and experiences.
The company also addressed the question of payment. Alsadoun said some hosts were uncomfortable accepting money because they saw themselves simply as welcoming guests, and she explained that payment reflects the value of a host's contribution. HiHome does not require hosts to follow a script, she said, and instead builds a structure around each host's own personality, culture and way of life.