Saudi Arabia launched its first five-star luxury train Dream of the Desert to offer a remarkable travel service that reflects the creative work of architect designer Aline Asmar d'Amman. The Dream of the Desert project achieves luxury railway design through Asmar d'Amman's exceptional leadership as a female creator who combines heritage and contemporary style. The project aims beyond simple slow travel. The project offers both remarkable environmental performance and top-end practicing sustainability. Asmar d'Amman bases her creative direction on Saudi Arabia's natural beauty and cultural customs of the Bedouins.
Total economic contribution of tourism and travel in Saudi Arabia
The entire train design focuses on presenting Saudi artistic skills through beautifully handcrafted wood art, thread weaving, handmade lights, and 3D sculptures that provide a cinematic feel. Our lounges based on majlis traditions support private talks and Jeddah's landmark building designs come back as custom-made privacy screens. The eating areas show tradition by combining natural texture and color choices that match desert bushes and classic gypsum decoration.
Dream of the Desert
In 2026 Saudi Arabia will launch the first exclusive railroad service named Dream of the Desert. The train delivers top-tier hospitality to transport customers on their cultural and scenic journey. Each train will have fourteen passenger cars with thirty-four rooms that provide premium travel services including fine dining. The journey will travel 1300-kilometers from Riyadh to Al Qurayyat and stops at crucial destinations including Al Qassim, Hail and Al Jouf sites. The train allows vacationers to travel around Saudi Arabia because they can discover both historic sites and beautiful landscapes.
The train takes 34 passengers between premium private cabins. Our suites allow guests to have the best possible comfort throughout their journey. The individual space includes all modern comfort amenities for each train guest. The train serves superior culinary experiences to passengers during their entire journey. Professional chefs will develop the dining service standard to deliver superior train luxury service. The train will display chosen programs about Saudi culture. Guest programs on the train allow visitors to discover Saudi Arabia's past more deeply. The train runs on renewable energy sources to power its operations. Saudi Arabia decreases its carbon emissions by developing a train project.
Saudi Vision 2030
Saudi Arabia uses Vision 2030 as its worldwide strategy to achieve economic expansion through different reforms in its national economy. The economy now depends less on oil and we focus on developing multiple industries that affect both public funds and local people while preparing the private sector for better growth. Saudi Arabia targets three main themes to drive its main goals which are to create an active society alongside an active economy and an advancing nation.
During 2013-2015 Saudi Arabia generated less than 2% GDP from tourism activities. Yet precise growth took place during this specific interval. Tourism presents the sector an opportunity to generate income for Saudi Arabia. Under this plan the country expands tourism as one of several sectors for economic diversification. Under Saudi Vision 2030 Muhammad bin Salman seeks to establish a fresh era for Saudi Arabian tourism. The Saudi Arabia Kingdom leader Muhammad bin Salman aims to convert Saudi Arabia from a local and global place into an ideal tourist destination. Tourism stands out as a key member of the Saudi Vision 2030 because its targets to enhance management practices and attract investments which boost economic growth and support building a dynamic national community.
The Saudi Arabian government implements Dream of the Desert to fulfill their Vision 2030 development strategy. The nation tries to reduce its oil reliance by funding both tourism expansions and business recreation choices. The train service aims to bring rich international tourists to Saudi Arabia under their tourism expansion plans. The new luxurious train helps Saudi Arabia achieve its goal of 100 million visitors by the year 2030. International travelers find Saudi Arabia more attractive when they experience exclusive travel opportunities.
Economic Impact
The newly built desert railway will bring profits for Saudi Arabia's economy. The railway development will kick start new employment opportunities. Their project demands multiple employees for rail road creation and support base development. Staff members who maintain the railway system will acquire reliable employment opportunities because of the regular tasks they need to complete. Simply moving goods from Red Sea ports to the Gulf area will take place faster with this new railway system. The system reduces delivery costs and makes shipments more trustworthy. Companies will invest more from abroad into the nation since shipping products will be lower-priced and faster.
Enhanced transportation facilities will drive increased tourism-related business and growth. Tourists will enjoy shorter journeys between major cities that will result in enhanced spending activities. The new business will enhance the performance of hotel accommodations and eatery services which expands their growth potential. Visitors prefer to shop at local places when they explore other town areas. The railway system will create employment opportunities while dropping shipping expenses and enabling tourist’s better access. The economy will flourish and multiple communities can grow further when these benefits occur. These results lead to better economic stability over a long period.
Real Estate Impact
Major railroad stations provide strong appeal to real estate buyers and developers. The opening of a desert railway station leads to a quick development of shops and office spaces. Potential investors who detect growth areas make decisions to build shopping malls and residential structures. People and firms invest more around railway stations which increases both land values and rental profits especially in areas that were formerly undeveloped.
Due to the luxury train project remote desert areas would experience increased land value because developers would now find them ideal choices for their projects. Local neighborhoods will benefit from this development as it creates fresh housing areas plus shopping centers. People see prices go up fastest at train stations because these areas become supply shortages quickly. People who own property for personal use can also enjoy higher property value because it rises with time. These property findings show that a desert railway in Saudi Arabia could drive real estate development for investors who seek out new market areas.
Ongoing Tourism Projects
The Saudi government invests heavily in tourism through various major projects. Through its 28,000 square kilometer scope the Red Sea Project expects one million annual guests by 2030. Under this plan Saudi Arabia expects to generate 70,000 new jobs by developing 50 hotels with 8,000 rooms on 22 islands. Qiddiya just outside Riyadh presents 334 square kilometers of space with plans to entertain 17 million tourists a year. The Public Investment Fund through their resources is spending more than $8 billion to build Qiddiya's multigame entertainment areas and tourism facilities.
NEOM serves as a $500 billion visionary city in northwest Saudi Arabia occupying 26,500 square kilometers. The facilities feature deluxe hotels plus sports outlets set within natural protected areas. At a $50 billion expense Diriyah Gate intends to revive historic sites while targeting 27 million guests by 2030. Amaala a luxury wellness resort, covers 4,155 square kilometers along the Red Sea, with 2,500 hotel rooms in the first phase.
Saudi Arabia needs 100 million tourists to visit by 2030 according to their specific plan. The Ministry of Tourism recorded 93.5 million total trips in Saudi Arabia both domestically and internationally during 2022 after 64 million trips in 2019. Tourism’s contribution to national GDP will increase from its 2019 level of 3% to more than 10%. By 2030 Saudi Arabia aims to shift its financial reliance from oil through multiple strategic projects as planned in Vision 2030. They assist in maintaining protected areas while displaying cultural elements.
Conclusion
As a unique train service Dream of the Desert shows Saudi Arabia's way to develop its luxury tourism future. Created to support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 this development provides visitors a unique way to discover both Saudi's history and new objectives. Travelers will experience a modern luxury journey through Dream of the Desert when it launches in Q3 2026 as the first train of its kind. Saudi Arabia presents guests with an unmatched new method to experience luxury. The nation creates its initial luxury train called Dream of The Desert which delivers a memory travelers will remember forever. The Kingdom develops its tourism sector and distinctive experiences to achieve its economic Vision 2030 target.
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