8/31/2023 0 Comments Al ula saudi arabia resortThese include the Mukaab, a gigantic entertainment and shopping center on the outskirts of Riyadh, as well as new resorts along some 120 kilometers (75 miles) of the country's underdeveloped Red Sea coast, complete with a harbor for super yachts. Other huge developments are also planned. A new airline, Riyadh Air, will start flying in 2025.Īt the same time that hotels are being built and planes purchased, the country has also prepared its often-neglected six UNESCO World Heritage sites for more visitors. They have done deals with some of the biggest names in the business, including Hilton, Hyatt and Accor, among others. And the Saudis are spending big on their plans, with a fund of up to a trillion dollars' worth of investment. For example, in the neighboring United Arab Emirates, the total contribution of tourism to national income is around 12%. The numbers suggest that while Saudi Arabia's tourism ambitions are grand, they are not impossible. "But I think it is also still too early to assess clearly whether it's going to be a success or not." "It's extremely exciting to observe what's happening there because, up until recently, Saudi Arabia had been something of a blank spot on the tourist map," Markus Pillmayer, a professor of tourism at Munich's University of Applied Sciences, told DW. Before 2019, Saudi Arabia only ever issued visas for business travelers, expatriate laborers or religious pilgrims Image: Elif Ozturk Ozgoncu/AA/picture alliance This currently costs just over $142 (€130). It was only in 2019 that the oil-rich kingdom started to allow visitors from 49 countries easier entry, with the purchase of an electronic visa. As part of Vision 2030, the country's long-term plan to diversify its economy away from oil, it wants to see tourism go from contributing 3% to national income to 10%, and add a million more jobs to the sector. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is best known for being ruled by a royal family that tolerates no political opposition, as a global leader in dispensing the death penalty and for its extremely conservative and religious culture that prefers both sexes to dress modestly at all times, as well its ban on all alcohol.īut there's good reason for this $400 million (€365 million) business deal: Saudi Arabia is pouring billions into its tourism sector. Habitas describes itself as an eco-conscious, culturally savvy provider of luxury "homes" and wellness experiences. That may seem like an odd match at first.īurning Man is well known for its lack of rules, drinking, dancing, experimental drug-taking and the wild, flesh-baring costumes exuberantly sported by both male and female attendees. Three room limit per Cardmember, per stay.Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Habitas, the American company that got its start setting up luxury camping at the annual Burning Man festival in the US desert. Limit one benefit package per room, per stay. Benefits and additional Fine Hotels + Resorts promotions are only applied at check-out and expire at check-out. Benefit restrictions vary by Fine Hotels + Resorts property and cannot be redeemed for cash, and may not be combined with other offers unless indicated. The credit will be issued on the Cardmembers final bill upon check-out. In the case where a property includes cost of Wi‑Fi in a mandatory resort fee, the Cardmember will receive a daily credit from the property in the standard amount that the property charges for Wi‑Fi. Complimentary In-Room Wi‑Fi is provided and Wi‑Fi will be provided in a common space on property. Breakfast amenity varies by property, but will be, at a minimum, a Continental breakfast. Certain room categories are not eligible for room upgrade call Platinum Travel service or Centurion Travel service for details. Noon check-in and room upgrade are based on availability and are provided at check-in. Cardmember must travel on itinerary booked to be eligible for benefits described. Available for Platinum Charge Cardmembers and Centurion ® Members only, and excludes Platinum Credit Cardmembers who are not also Platinum Charge Cardmembers. Payment must be made in full with an American Express Card in the Platinum Card Member and Centurion Member's or Centurion ® Member's name. Valid only for new Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings made through Platinum Travel service, Centurion Travel service, American Express Travel Online (where available) or any American Express Travel location.
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