![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CH275H2D6JAK5OBKB34YZ643HI.jpg?smart=true&auth=d378746d04af80974ad9fbb0ec3a5845f2ae9c5e61c217132265681b3842b364&width=400&height=225)
The first Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale is on until March 2022. Photo: Diriyah Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4M4L2W6YGVBYLLIPRUVLKEQEK4.jpg?smart=true&auth=797d4371472a7fe2408c2f3d95da2c4ef37a50d6173cedbebd49f53dd8af5a02&width=400&height=225)
Hegra After Dark. Photo: RCU Commission
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/X5KR6NDIQNF6DJP356UO764TFM.jpg?smart=true&auth=92b99e9ab24d58e38b015914b9196021d356e9c444d36c1f952b80e43e404a07&width=400&height=225)
Hegra After Dark launched in November as a new way to experience AlUla. Photo: RCU Commission
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MTBKZ6CG5B7NGDA5NCEJ52ADNQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=454bbc1a38a48af8d93d653dddffda558c1e3168a52e3ae43d3403785f804d83&width=400&height=225)
Saudi Arabian airline flynas launched direct flights from Dubai to AlUla in 2021. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6SFD4WO2BNH37NLLIYZOUNXKH4.jpg?smart=true&auth=b0e455ffb771c40d2d3b97f38a699aaab84483035c833074f41d2da733ffca32&width=400&height=225)
The new Habitas Al Ula. Photo: Habitas Al Ula
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WCJEGESV2ND3TOSW2QJNZZMPBU.jpg?smart=true&auth=ac7e8020092e39c00ee2c0d7111ba50d0d3872b2fcce22d8d8832ce1d0843e81&width=400&height=225)
Habitas adds 96 much-needed rooms to AlUla's inventory. Photo: Habitas Al Ula
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I75P72M5TZF3ZBDVTEUZWMZGI4.jpg?smart=true&auth=b35a51222cce51b3a5add67bbfea679d69bb1bbf055f7c73b229dbd7b2ececad&width=400&height=225)
Luxury eco resort Habitas sits in an ancient oasis in the desert canyons of the Ashar Valley. Photo: Habitas Al Ula
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A5M66Y523JFAXGXMU5J6RBD36Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=1e6c3d3689a86455c649f3a15263d7522b98e66b86949e2dedf55653ef1c8cb6&width=400&height=225)
Habitas Al Ula. Photo: Habitas Al Ula
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CKFZAI72ZBBFDH7JGDQWFUNUBI.jpg?smart=true&auth=3767d3104c9e3499a7c9f5c8cdffcc2f5988a453a426e5cbe8f8f1dfd0aaf45b&width=400&height=225)
A rendering of The St Regis Riyadh, which is due to open in 2022. Photo: Marriott International
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EBN6HLLOPBGKVDKDWKAGSDNRJQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=d435a1b59679dc45de37aa4d012e51737b7d8133aab1751474cd7f00a11bf1f8&width=400&height=225)
Jason Atherton opened a restaurant in the Maraya Hall. Photo: Maraya Social
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VPETDS2U6JCLTCQZ2J7M4A2HQM.jpg?smart=true&auth=929dcb7b20ca6d6eabaffadd712da73496ef05b360975b26f47ae996aad06d54&width=400&height=225)
Maraya Social by Jason Atherton. Photo: Maraya Social
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B4UZTWWRSVAPXNVJKZLJFN6GFU.jpg?smart=true&auth=ac7abd484f4ceca46c53118f0b4369714121f8ba1003fe4cb65214dbaec2b58e&width=400&height=225)
Jeddah Central Project will involve the development of 5.7 million square metres of land overlooking the Red Sea. Photos: Jeddah Central Project
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QXW7MNOBMBAFZHHWRIWK2DSDKE.jpg?smart=true&auth=783508f0b981835bcca18cb876cdff7e6956e1cfbb7bab2870b41adeb6f25e56&width=400&height=225)
A sports stadium will act as one of Jeddah Central Project's anchors. Photo: Jeddah Central Project
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4DVCW5ULS5CIJDKD4JFOPHN4AQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=47ea55ce70754f3a68c63a073bb453e496c66183ba59633a1865a46256af9227&width=400&height=225)
The development's beach and promenade. Photo: Jeddah Central Project
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6UTLCCIH2FTHPTBPKFXP5XQRQA.jpg?smart=true&auth=d739e8c64fbe9298f07dbda7657b24a8471b99d8bdedede51de15be9151e843c&width=400&height=225)
Soundstorm 2021. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H4BNTOWUA6K3V6VXX6AY4365IQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=c9d8d40ca0d8505f8965df8ddb3ad6c945024ae2e562aae5d551b0621a009980&width=400&height=225)
Steve Aoki performs on stage during the Soundstorm festival in Saudi Arabia. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DZ3JOTR3WIOZGMCNATPHX63WDI.jpg?smart=true&auth=d706d9813d69bf54c8b510aa1732923c1d148535fcc0d1c4147fd91bffce2f64&width=400&height=225)
David Guetta at Soundstorm 2021. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D7RX3Q56RWQ427X6M3ECUJZ32E.jpg?smart=true&auth=0599f9879fcf94109d6445795d499580ff5d5a43a951e70fe666f55a914c242c&width=400&height=225)
Saudi actress Fay Fouad walks the red carpet for the closing ceremony of the first Red Sea Film Festival. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/U4ANZ4BIPVROIKR3M6QF2CQTKQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=75b55a88ec743270deaa774f31d0c9a00c4afe75bb380ac6885b07ee0a36e453&width=400&height=225)
Red Sea Film Festival chairman Mohamed Turki poses with British model Naomi Campbell at the event's closing ceremony. AFP
Zahrah Al Ghamdi, 'Birth of a Place', 2021. This was one of dozens of works by 63 artists on show in Riyadh as part of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale. Photo: Diriyah Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CH275H2D6JAK5OBKB34YZ643HI.jpg?smart=true&auth=d378746d04af80974ad9fbb0ec3a5845f2ae9c5e61c217132265681b3842b364&width=400&height=225)
The first Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale is on until March 2022. Photo: Diriyah Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4M4L2W6YGVBYLLIPRUVLKEQEK4.jpg?smart=true&auth=797d4371472a7fe2408c2f3d95da2c4ef37a50d6173cedbebd49f53dd8af5a02&width=400&height=225)
Hegra After Dark. Photo: RCU Commission
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/X5KR6NDIQNF6DJP356UO764TFM.jpg?smart=true&auth=92b99e9ab24d58e38b015914b9196021d356e9c444d36c1f952b80e43e404a07&width=400&height=225)
Hegra After Dark launched in November as a new way to experience AlUla. Photo: RCU Commission
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MTBKZ6CG5B7NGDA5NCEJ52ADNQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=454bbc1a38a48af8d93d653dddffda558c1e3168a52e3ae43d3403785f804d83&width=400&height=225)
Saudi Arabian airline flynas launched direct flights from Dubai to AlUla in 2021. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6SFD4WO2BNH37NLLIYZOUNXKH4.jpg?smart=true&auth=b0e455ffb771c40d2d3b97f38a699aaab84483035c833074f41d2da733ffca32&width=400&height=225)
The new Habitas Al Ula. Photo: Habitas Al Ula
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WCJEGESV2ND3TOSW2QJNZZMPBU.jpg?smart=true&auth=ac7e8020092e39c00ee2c0d7111ba50d0d3872b2fcce22d8d8832ce1d0843e81&width=400&height=225)
Habitas adds 96 much-needed rooms to AlUla's inventory. Photo: Habitas Al Ula
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I75P72M5TZF3ZBDVTEUZWMZGI4.jpg?smart=true&auth=b35a51222cce51b3a5add67bbfea679d69bb1bbf055f7c73b229dbd7b2ececad&width=400&height=225)
Luxury eco resort Habitas sits in an ancient oasis in the desert canyons of the Ashar Valley. Photo: Habitas Al Ula
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A5M66Y523JFAXGXMU5J6RBD36Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=1e6c3d3689a86455c649f3a15263d7522b98e66b86949e2dedf55653ef1c8cb6&width=400&height=225)
Habitas Al Ula. Photo: Habitas Al Ula
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CKFZAI72ZBBFDH7JGDQWFUNUBI.jpg?smart=true&auth=3767d3104c9e3499a7c9f5c8cdffcc2f5988a453a426e5cbe8f8f1dfd0aaf45b&width=400&height=225)
A rendering of The St Regis Riyadh, which is due to open in 2022. Photo: Marriott International
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EBN6HLLOPBGKVDKDWKAGSDNRJQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=d435a1b59679dc45de37aa4d012e51737b7d8133aab1751474cd7f00a11bf1f8&width=400&height=225)
Jason Atherton opened a restaurant in the Maraya Hall. Photo: Maraya Social
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VPETDS2U6JCLTCQZ2J7M4A2HQM.jpg?smart=true&auth=929dcb7b20ca6d6eabaffadd712da73496ef05b360975b26f47ae996aad06d54&width=400&height=225)
Maraya Social by Jason Atherton. Photo: Maraya Social
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B4UZTWWRSVAPXNVJKZLJFN6GFU.jpg?smart=true&auth=ac7abd484f4ceca46c53118f0b4369714121f8ba1003fe4cb65214dbaec2b58e&width=400&height=225)
Jeddah Central Project will involve the development of 5.7 million square metres of land overlooking the Red Sea. Photos: Jeddah Central Project
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QXW7MNOBMBAFZHHWRIWK2DSDKE.jpg?smart=true&auth=783508f0b981835bcca18cb876cdff7e6956e1cfbb7bab2870b41adeb6f25e56&width=400&height=225)
A sports stadium will act as one of Jeddah Central Project's anchors. Photo: Jeddah Central Project
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4DVCW5ULS5CIJDKD4JFOPHN4AQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=47ea55ce70754f3a68c63a073bb453e496c66183ba59633a1865a46256af9227&width=400&height=225)
The development's beach and promenade. Photo: Jeddah Central Project
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6UTLCCIH2FTHPTBPKFXP5XQRQA.jpg?smart=true&auth=d739e8c64fbe9298f07dbda7657b24a8471b99d8bdedede51de15be9151e843c&width=400&height=225)
Soundstorm 2021. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H4BNTOWUA6K3V6VXX6AY4365IQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=c9d8d40ca0d8505f8965df8ddb3ad6c945024ae2e562aae5d551b0621a009980&width=400&height=225)
Steve Aoki performs on stage during the Soundstorm festival in Saudi Arabia. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DZ3JOTR3WIOZGMCNATPHX63WDI.jpg?smart=true&auth=d706d9813d69bf54c8b510aa1732923c1d148535fcc0d1c4147fd91bffce2f64&width=400&height=225)
David Guetta at Soundstorm 2021. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D7RX3Q56RWQ427X6M3ECUJZ32E.jpg?smart=true&auth=0599f9879fcf94109d6445795d499580ff5d5a43a951e70fe666f55a914c242c&width=400&height=225)
Saudi actress Fay Fouad walks the red carpet for the closing ceremony of the first Red Sea Film Festival. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/U4ANZ4BIPVROIKR3M6QF2CQTKQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=75b55a88ec743270deaa774f31d0c9a00c4afe75bb380ac6885b07ee0a36e453&width=400&height=225)
Red Sea Film Festival chairman Mohamed Turki poses with British model Naomi Campbell at the event's closing ceremony. AFP
Zahrah Al Ghamdi, 'Birth of a Place', 2021. This was one of dozens of works by 63 artists on show in Riyadh as part of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale. Photo: Diriyah Foundation
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CH275H2D6JAK5OBKB34YZ643HI.jpg?smart=true&auth=d378746d04af80974ad9fbb0ec3a5845f2ae9c5e61c217132265681b3842b364&width=400&height=225)
The first Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale is on until March 2022. Photo: Diriyah Foundation
Saudi Arabia boosted its tourism credentials in 2021: mega-projects and music festivals
A number of hotel openings, new direct flights and large-scale events are heralding in a new era for the country's hospitality industry
Melanie Swan
22 December, 2021
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic