SAUDI ARABIA

From ancient desert civilisations to sprawling metropolises, we spotlight the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as an up-and-coming tourism destination for discerning travellers

Writer:

Phoebe Harper | Project Manager: Deane Anderton

Untamed desert wilderness, the submarine splendour of the Red Sea, atmospheric souks and teeming oasis cities – the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is a veritable smorgasbord for any tourist.

As the birthplace of Islam, KSA has long been an esteemed destination of religious pilgrimage, attracting Muslims from around the globe to its most-visited city, the province of Makkah. The nation is blessed with natural delights, paradisical oases, and archaic ruins such as AlUla where the remnants of the ancient Incense Route as the crossroads of bygone civilisations will transport you back in time. Elsewhere, head towards the coast of the Red Sea and you will discover the city of Jeddah – a place where the atmospheric old town is blessed with sea air and is acknowledged as a more creative and cosmopolitan alternative to the capital of Riyadh.

KSA’s appeal to tourists is diversifying and its status developing, as the Kingdom earns itself a place on the map as a haven for luxury travel experiences while also catering to the burgeoning demand for sustainable adventure. A plethora of ambitious ventures and undertakings are underway, most notably the mammoth Red Sea Project, which seeks to spearhead responsible and regenerative tourism destination development to enhance KSA’s luxury tourism and sustainability offering in harmony with the Red Sea’s fragile ecosystem. This is a major aspect of the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030, as it aspires to reach over 100 million visitors every year.

Wherever you visit in this diverse and captivating country, you can be guaranteed to experience authentic Middle Eastern hospitality. In return, it is imperative to acknowledge local customs and traditions regarding etiquette and dress code. Always be respectful, and double check any regulations before you travel.