RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s vast deserts are shedding their image as empty stretches of sand, emerging instead as the stage for a luxury tourism revolution.
From solar-powered tents in AlUla to AI-enhanced stargazing in the Empty Quarter, high-end glamping is turning remote landscapes into billion-dollar assets, combining sustainability with indulgence under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
As part of the National Tourism Strategy, Saudi Arabia aims to attract 150 million visitors by 2030 and increase tourism’s contribution to gross domestic product to 10 percent, supporting economic diversification.
Glamping — a blend of “glamorous” and “camping” — offers the outdoor experience with amenities and, in some cases, resort-style services far removed from traditional camping. In the Kingdom, it is redefining premium tourism by attracting affluent travelers to eco-conscious, culturally rooted stays in stunning desert settings.
Cultural depth and comfort
