Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh achieves prestigious Great Place to Work certification

If you're flying anywhere this holiday season, it's a good bet you'll spend some extra "bonus dwell time" in an airport terminal. Or three.

When I first started covering the hotel industry years ago, you'd hear the insult that big brands like Marriott International and IHG Hotels & Resorts couldn't successfully own a luxury or lifestyle brand.

Since opening to tourists in 2019, Saudi Arabia has quickly become a world leader in travel. The country was elected as the Chair of the United Nations World Tourism Organization in 2023, and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism aims to welcome 100 million tourist visits by 2023. Such rapid growth takes massive investment — something Saudi Arabia has already proven to be more than willing to do successfully. With increased cruises bringing passengers to Saudi Arabia and a manageable visa application process, it’s hard to imagine another country more poised to dominate the global tourism market in upcoming years.

Located in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, Riyadh, the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia, stands as a testament to the region’s rich tapestry of culture, history, and modernity.

Since opening its doors to tourism in 2019, Saudi has emerged as a top destination for travelers seeking unique experiences. The World Tourism Organization estimates that 18 million tourists visited Saudi last year — and with good reason. The country is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites and clear waters along its 1,100-mile coastline with the Red Sea (locals say it’s “better than the Maldives”). You’ll also find centuries-old archaeological wonders and the world’s largest palm oasis. Here are five spots to confound your expectations and thoroughly blow your mind on a trip to Saudi.

In the heart of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh is undergoing a transformation unlike any before. The city is redefining its contours and colors under the aegis of Riyadh Art, a national public art initiative that is turning the capital into a canvas for creative expression. This initiative is part of a broader cultural movement, one that seeks to weave art into the very fabric of Riyadh's urban landscape, making it synonymous with an immersive artistic experience. At the forefront of this cultural renaissance is Noor Riyadh, the world's largest light art festival, which returned for its third edition, transforming Saudi Arabia's capital into a luminous playground for artists and art enthusiasts alike. The festival, which once again cast its glow on November 30, 2023, and will continue to shine until December 16, distinguishes itself by inviting artists from all corners of the globe to participate in the city's metamorphosis into a realm of light and art. It's a celebration that extends beyond mere visual spectacle, transforming Ryadh into an open-air gallery that marries the beauty of the desert with the boundless possibilities of light and art.

Global connectivity, hyper personalization, an improved loyalty program, an airline built for digital natives — these are some of the promises Riyadh Air is making to its future fliers. 

Hundreds of new hotels are expected to open in 2024, from smaller boutiques to lavish resorts in cities both small and large across the globe, resulting in substantial revenue for the multi-billion-dollar hotel industry.

Since appointing Apaleo, Koncept Hotels has benefitted from limitless flexibility to create its preferred property management tech stack. Apaleo’s API-first MACH architecture empowers property managers to seamlessly integrate a diverse range of best-in-breed third-party applications, ensuring continuous customisation and modernisation.

The leading LCC connects more than 70 domestic and international destinations, with more than 1,500 weekly flights.

In the vibrant heart of the St. James Quarter, W Edinburgh encapsulates Scotland’s Capital City.

Perla La Paz, Tapestry Collection by Hilton and Tropicana Los Cabos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton mark the brand’s arrival in the region adding to the company’s Baja California portfolio of award‑winning hotels.