FROM DESERT TO PEARL THE TRANSFORMATION OF SAUDI HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM Abstract This paper examines the transformation of Saudi Arabia’s hospitality and tourism industry, tracing its journey “from desert to pearl.” For much of the past century, tourism was defined by pilgrimage and limited facilities. Today, under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a global tourism hub with advanced infrastructure, diverse attractions, and cultural engagement. Using the metaphor of the pearl, the research highlights how the Kingdom has polished its natural and cultural resources into valuable assets, balancing heritage with modernization. Introduction Saudi Arabia’s identity has long been linked to its deserts and religious sites, particularly Makkah and Al Madinah. Historically, hospitality and tourism were modest, rooted in religious pilgrimage and simple accommodations. In recent decades, however, the Kingdom has sought to redefine itself as more than a desert land, reshaping its image ...