People like to come Riyadh because it's a very quiet area, very fresh and clean air, far away from the city.
By 2030, The Edge of the World will be home to an entertainment complex two and a half times the size of Disney World. In the past, Saudi Arabia was not a holiday destination for international leisure tourists. The country is governed by strict Islamic laws. Women must cover up in public, gender segregation is common and alcohol is forbidden. This can be at odds with what Western tourists look for when booking a holiday. But under the leadership of Mohammed bin Salman, the young Crown Prince, the country is changing. Tourism is at the heart of his plans to revolutionize the kingdom. He is plowing billions of dollars from the country's sovereign wealth fund into building a new tourist resort in the Red Sea. The project will cover 50 islands and 34,000 square kilometres, an area bigger than Belgium. There are separate plans for a futuristic eco city and special economic zones stretching into Jordan and Egypt. The Prince's ambitious plan aims to attract 30 million visitors by 2030, double the current number. Rafat Shisha hopes more tourists will discover what the country has to offer at his resort, guests can enjoy dinner and admire the form and grace of these pure bred Arabian horses.
Rafat's usual guests are visiting dignitaries, business people and wealthy Saudi families. But soon he could be welcoming foreign leisure tourists too.
