Is Saudi Arabia the next Dubai?

Dubai redefined ultra-luxury tourism over the past two decades, but Saudi Arabia is quietly positioning itself for a similar leap.

At the heart of this shift lies Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s bold framework for economic diversification and cultural renewal. Where once religious tourism defined the landscape, today’s Saudi Arabia is crafting a new identity, rooted in luxury, sustainability, and exclusivity, with ambition.
 

Major initiatives are rapidly reshaping the landscape:

• The Red Sea Project, an eco-resort ecosystem spread over pristine islands and desert terrain, now features luxury hospitality anchors like Six Senses, St. Regis, and Ritz-Carlton Reserve.

• Sindalah Island, a NEOM luxury maritime enclave, is being positioned as a super‑yacht destination complete with Michelin-starred dining and marina berths rivaling the Mediterranean.

• In the mountains, Soudah Peaks is planned as Saudi’s version of alpine luxury — complete with ski-lift-ready elevation and development into 2029.

• Iconic infrastructure like the Mukaab in Riyadh, a $50 billion cube promising immersive luxury within its 104,000 hotel rooms, represents the scale of modern ambition.

• Social liberalization is quietly enabling luxury tourism: licensing booze in 600 tourism zones by 2026 signals a shift toward relaxed yet curated hospitality.
   

These moves mirror Dubai’s early transformation, but with a distinct Saudi signature: heritage-grounded, sustainability-minded, and invested in a global luxury reputation.
 

It’s not about flashy skyscrapers alone. Saudi Arabia’s future lies in purpose-led tourism, where authenticity meets ambition. The Kingdom is not simply building resorts; it’s crafting stories and ecosystems.
 

At Crown & Compass, this evolution excites us. For the ultra-high-net-worth traveller, Saudi Arabia’s opening is not a willingness to see the world, it’s a chance to redefine how one experiences it.