Picture yourself in your perfect holiday location. It might be a luxury resort, a vibrant city, or an area of stunning natural beauty. Now imagine that you could enjoy that same experience in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Since launching a new National Tourism Strategy in 2019, the Saudi government has been pouring vast resources into tourism and hospitality. In the process, it hopes to turn Saudi Arabia into a thriving centre of international and domestic tourism. At the heart of the government’s strategy are a number of government-funded giga-projects designed to boost travel to the Kingdom and diversify its economy away from oil.
Examples of these projects include Diriyah , a new city being built on the outskirts of Riyadh, which combines traditional architecture with modern infrastructure. Upon its completion, it is expected to cost a total of $63.2 billion and add $18.
6 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP. A little further from the capital, Qiddiya is under construction. This new mega-city will create a new, purpose-built capital for entertainment, sports and culture.
Then there is Red Sea Global , which is developing resorts and “regenerative” tourism along Saudi Arabia’s West Coast. Meanwhile, the Soudah Development , a project covering a staggering 627 Square Kilometres, will turn the highest peak in the country into a destination for luxury travel, cultural experiences and adventure holidays. These are just some of the impressive giga-projects currently underway i.