James Ashton: Even little-known Jazan gets a $15bn makeover

Have you heard of Jazan? Nope, me neither – until this week.

The unheralded Saudi Arabian city, which lies on the Red Sea coast with a population of maybe 1 million, is getting a $15bn makeover that has already got some tourist bosses talking.

It is part of a $500bn investment plan the Saudis have to add more airports and rail links as they look east at the influx of guests arriving every day in the United Arab Emirates.

Whichever way you look, global tourism is hotting up.