Arabia’s cultural assets as living destinations that combine conservation with hospitality, retail, cultural programming and public spaces. For Inzerillo, the balance between preservation and development is central to Diriyah’s long-term vision. “We can’t have a future without honouring the past,” he has said. AlUla presents a complementary model, with phased development centred on archaeology, conservation and low-density hospitality. The destination ultimately aims to welcome two million visitors annually, supported by 9,000 hotel rooms, new museums, galleries and luxury eco-resorts. Events such as Winter at Tantora broaden its appeal through music, culture and seasonal programming. Luxury coastal tourism provides another strand. The Red Sea and AMAALA combine high-end hospitality with marine conservation, renewable energy and destination management shaped by regenerative tourism principles, positioning Saudi Arabia in the premium travel, nature and wellness markets. Entertainment and sport create yet another proposition. Around 40 kilometres from Riyadh, Qiddiya spans 334 square kilometres and brings together theme parks, sporting venues, hotels, residential communities and cultural attractions. The Middle East’s first Six Flags theme park and Aquarabia, the region’s largest water theme park, are already supporting year-round domestic and international demand. Investment is also spreading into regional destinations, creating new reasons to explore beyond Saudi Arabia’s established gateway cities and extending tourism’s economic reach across the kingdom. In the Asir highlands, Soudah Peaks is being developed as a year-round luxury mountain destination centred on the landscapes and heritage of Soudah and Rijal Almaa. Set at Saudi Arabia’s highest point, the development will feature more than 2,800 hospitality keys, 1,300 second homes and 30-plus attractions spanning adventure, wellness, culture and nature. On the Red Sea coast, the $20 billion Jeddah Central development will transform 5.7 million square metres of waterfront into a major cultural, leisure and residential district. Its centrepieces include an opera house, museum, sports stadium and oceanarium with coral farms, supported by a marina, 2.1-kilometre public beach, 2,700 hotel rooms and more than 10 tourism and entertainment projects. In the Eastern Province, Darin and Tarout Island are the focus of a SAR 2.64 billion ($703 million) heritage and environmental development programme underway. More than 19 initiatives will restore sites including Darin Castle and the historic airport, establish eco-lodges and a major mangrove forest,
and enhance waterfronts, public spaces and visitor infrastructure, with a target of 1.36 million tourists by 2030. The Arabian Highland is the wider SAR50 billion ($13.33 billion) strategy for the development of the Asir region, using its mountain scenery, cooler climate and distinctive culture to establish an all- season international destination. Its flagship AlWadi development in Abha will span 2.5 million square metres, with five districts combining hotels, homes, recreation, cultural experiences and 16 kilometres of waterfront.
Above: AlUla Old Town: the original masterplan now being integrated into a much wider ecosystem
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