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Doing business
Travelling on business is the only way to get into super-secretive Saudi Arabia, which shuns tourism unless you count the hordes of pilgrims descending on Mecca for the Hajj. Don’t expect to do business around Hajj and Ramadan time, or on Fridays, and your hosts may not schedule meetings until you arrive. You can expect Arab courtesy, hospitality and generosity, and you should reciprocate with good manners, politeness and observation of ritual. If you’re a woman, dress conservatively – you may find less experienced contacts uncomfortable dealing with you. Old heads with knowledge of western business will be more straightforward.

Cool hotel
You’ll need to reserve well ahead for midweek rooms in Riyadh. At weekends, things are easier. The Al-Faisaliah (www.rosewoodhotels.com) has cosy, adorably decorated rooms, excellent service and one of the city’s finest restaurants. Twin rooms start at £120.

Hip restaurant
The rambling La Campagne, at Tahila St, Rif Al-Lubnani, gets packed – it’s rated as the best place for authentic mezze. The grills are a speciality. The covered terrace out back is best in Riyadh's warm weather.

Happening bar
You must be joking! Alcohol is forbidden and there are strict penalties for consumption. Stick to the ‘mocktails’. These tasty fruit concoctions will cool you down in the heat.

Must-see sights
Being less than 100 years old means Riyadh’s architects have been free to experiment. Just scanning the skyline reveals Bedouin tent style stadia, spaceship-shaped skyscrapers and other colourful creations. The best place to take it all in from is the 302m Kingdom Tower. If you’d rather remain on the ground, the National Museum is the place for a look at the hidden treasures of Saudi Arabia.

Getting downtown
You’ll probably have a driver or contact to greet you, but otherwise taxis will cost around £10 after a gentle haggle.

The details
Getting into Saudi Arabia will be as much a challenge as doing business. You’ll need a business visa to enter and this means a
Saudi sponsor – either an individual or more normally a company. Once this is approved by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce and Industry you will be sent an invitation letter. You then apply in your country of residence. Have you got all that? The currency is the Saudi Riyal: £1=SAR7.5.

Getting there
Saudi Arabian Airlines (www.saudiairlines.com) is the national carrier. Returns of £400 are a rarity but achievable, but £540 is a more realistic figure. Business-class deals hover around the £1,200-£1,500 mark.

The carbon cost
A return flight from London Heathrow to Riyadh will cover 9,920km and emit 1.1 tonnes of CO2. Offset this with The CarbonNeutral Company from £8.25.

cultural TIP
“Riyadh is experiencing huge infrastructure development to support the demands of a modernising Saudi economy and recent membership of the World Trade Organisation. It's one of the fastest growing cities in the Middle East and the centre of Saudi finance, commerce and government“
Farnham Castle – an operator of intercultural briefings and language training

INSIDER’S TIP
“To sample some luxury, the Four Seasons Riyadh Hotel is an ideal choice. It is attached to the Kingdom Centre, close to key sites for business, as well as cultural attractions”
Sue Bailey, Travel Counsellor

Compiled by Tom Hall on behalf of Lonely Planet. www.lonelyplanet.com

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