Middle East Sunday Pages Blog

A full breakdown of why 'Let It Fly' works, what most Western brands keep getting wrong about Saudi marketing, and three things any Western brand could take from this campaign before their next Riyadh meeting

People often talk about the Middle East as if it is one thing. One place. One story. It is not. It is many countries, many cultures, many languages and many ways of being. Gulf cities that feel like the future. Old neighbourhoods where time slows down. Desert that makes you quiet inside. Mountains that make you feel small in the best possible way. Sea that makes you want to stay an extra day.

Gulf HNW clients do not respond to generic outreach. They respond to relationships. A real Gulf client strategy starts with your data and your team. It builds intelligence in-house and we can help.

If you are serious about Gulf markets, Doha deserves a place at the top of your list. Not because it is the loudest city in the region. Because it is one of the smartest.

AlUla is not a resort. It is not a side project. It is not another flashy giga-project headline that disappears when oil prices shift. AlUla is a deliberate, long-term, multi-billion-dollar statement about what Saudi Arabia intends to become — and if you are doing business in the Kingdom right now, or planning to, you need to understand what is happening there and why it matters to you.

While Western professionals pause Gulf strategies over regional conflict, Oman is quietly activating new trade corridors, advancing infrastructure projects, and positioning itself as the region's most stable business hub. Here's what you need to know.

Gulf Business Calendar 2026: Key Dates Every Western Professional Must Know Meta Description: Ramadan, Eid, national holidays, trade show season — the Gulf business calendar is nothing like yours. Here's every date that will make or break your deals in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.

Discover the 10 everyday words and phrases Western professionals use that cause confusion, offence, and lost deals in Gulf business culture — and what to say instead.

Scrambling to figure out Eid etiquette before you embarrass yourself in the Gulf? Here's exactly what to say, do, and avoid — so you look like someone who actually belongs here.