A Gulf state is hoping to transform its country’s tourism industry to turn its cities into a popular holiday hotspot for European travellers. With the success of Dubai and Abu Dhabi reimagination into a bucket list destination for many, other oil rich nations are looking to imitate their success, and one might just have the money to do so. Since 2019, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , once one of the least travelled to countries on Earth, has gone all in on developing an almost non-existent tourism industry.
In 2019, the Kingdom opened up the country to non-religious visitors and has since invested billions of pounds to kickstart its fledgling enterprise. The Kingdom possesses a wealth of history, culture and civilization that could give it an advantage as it develops into a tourism hotspot. In Saudi Arabia’s northwestern Medina Province, a 2,000-year-old oasis city has been revamped to turn it into an extravagant retreat where private tented villas boast stunning views for around £1,300 per night.
It is on one of its many historical sites that the Kingdom has established a high-end, luxury resort which it believes could prove irresistible to the rich and famous. The resort, named AlUla, looks out over the Ashar Valley and is so big that guests are provided with an electric bike to get around. Guests have everything that they could possibly wish for at their fingertips for the duration of their stay.
The resort provides luxury infinity pools, Michelin-star restaurants and a .