Once considered to be among the most closed-off in the world to foreigners, the Gulf country of Saudi Arabia has in recent years made a strong push to make its cities a hub of wealth and international tourism to rival nearby Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

The 30 million international visitors that came to Saudi Arabia in 2024 represent a 6% increase from last year.

Delta Air Lines recently responded to the increased tourism demand by adding a new flight to Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH) from Atlanta. The route will launch in October 2026 on a sleek new Airbus A350-900 with 32 Delta One seats.

“[The decision to come to Saudi Arabia] reflects our bold vision to create meaningful opportunities and experiences in every corner of the world in the years ahead,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a statement.

Kerzner International to bring two five-star hotel brands to Jeddah

Amid the spike in tourism interest, two luxury hotel chains have also taken an interest in the country.

Kerzner International, which is behind the luxury brands Atlantis and One&Only, announced development plans for properties under these brands in the port city of Jeddah.

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The second-largest city in Saudi Arabia, Jeddah sits along the Red Sea and has seen a burst of development as a luxury resort destination, alongside its religious significance as a gateway to one of the holiest sites in Islam.

The Atlantis hotel expands on the Atlantis Palm and Atlantic The Royal Dubai properties in the UAE metropolis, while the One&Only brand is a chain of boutique resorts with multiple properties in Dubai, as well as destinations such as The Maldives, Mexico, Rwanda, and Montenegro.

A map shows the site where the new Atlantis Jeddah property will be developed.

Atlantis

“Our mutual commitment to advancing the Kingdom’s tourism landscape”

“We have consistently delivered exceptional performance and global recognition for destinations, transforming them into world-renowned entertainment and luxury experiences,” Kerzner Chief Executive Officer Philippe Zuber said in a statement.

“The presence of Atlantis and One&Only in Jeddah aligns with our mutual commitment to advancing the Kingdom’s tourism landscape.

The Atlantis Jeddah will offer over 800 rooms and suites as well as resort features including 20 restaurants and lounges, a waterpark, a spa, a marine park, and separate branded luxury residences.

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The One&Only property will also include branded residential apartments as well as the main resort, designated as a “private enclave on the city’s coast” in a design that “embodies the essence of Jeddah’s storied corniche and beachfront.”

While an official timeline is yet to be announced, the new developments are part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program aiming to move the country’s economy away from primarily oil and towards among other things luxury tourism.

“Through Kerzner’s portfolio, we have been integral to the narrative of luxury in Dubai, and we are equally excited now to weave our brands into the very fabric of Jeddah as it transforms and creates history,” Kerzner President Juan Aguilar said in a separate statement on the plans.

“A development of this magnitude will be a model for large-scale integrated tourism destinations, one that aligns with Saudi Arabia’s bold vision for the country’s future tourism goals.”

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