Inside the Kingdom's Tourism Draw

Celebrating History While Building for the Future

The development of AlUla takes into account ensuring lasting benefits for the local communities. In 2023, AstroLabs and Vibes AlUla empowered 70 local businesses to drive tourism in AlUla through the Vibes AlUla SME Enablement Program. The program drove local entrepreneurial growth and strengthened AlUla's reputation as one of the most popular global archaeological, cultural, and natural tourist destinations. The program resulted in the creation of new 273 jobs, 284 partnerships, 202 new products and close to SAR 14 ($3.7 million) in revenue. Besides the aforementioned regions, the UNESCO World Heritage List also includes the historic Jeddah District, the Rock Art in Ha'il, Al-Ahsa Oasis, Hima Wells in Najran, and the Uruq Bani Ma`arid Reserve. With a mandate to identify the areas with the highest potential for tourism development, the National Tourism Strategy has so far identified 35 areas in 10 cities, including AlUla, Riyadh, Al-Ha’il, Aseer, Madinah, Al-Jauf, the Eastern Province, Taif, Jeddah, and Al Baha. Saudi Arabia stands as a treasure trove of exploration, serving as a remarkable example of successfully embracing modernity while diligently preserving its rich heritage and cherished traditions.

Edge of the World Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The Diriyah project is expected to contribute $7.2 billion to the country’s GDP, with plans to welcome 27 million visitors by 2030. The urban development initiatives in Diriyah draw inspiration from its heritage and Saudi traditions, seamlessly incorporating new attractions and experiences that enrich the cultural and recreational aspects while simultaneously preserving the inherent value of the destination. Similarly, in the ancient city of AlUla, the Nabataean city of Hegra is situated. Located southwest of Madina, AlUla covers a desert oasis, encompassing sandstone mountains and historical monuments dating back thousands of years.

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