AlUla's Vision: 2 Million Visitors, 40,500 Jobs, and $40 Billion Economy by 2035
The Royal Commission for AlUla aims to attract 2 million visitors annually and create 40,500 jobs by 2035, generating a cumulative contribution of SR150 billion ($40 billion) to the gross domestic product.
Dr. Stephen Browne, vice president of wildlife and natural heritage at the RCU, shared this vision during the Hima protected areas forum in Riyadh.
The development of AlUla's protected areas will focus on regenerating and protecting its cultural landscape and improving quality of life for its communities and visitors.
AlUla's community development aims to foster a vibrant and prosperous future through world-class education, job opportunities, business incubators, and quality of life improvements.
Nature and wildlife are key components of AlUla's global destination strategy, alongside tourism, heritage, art and culture, economic and social development, spatial development, enabling services, and institutional excellence.
Dr. Talal Al-Harigi, CEO of the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve, and Nada Al-Tamimi, assistant deputy of national affairs at the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, discussed the importance of transitioning conservation and protected areas from cost centers to profit generators.
Al-Harigi suggested using ecotourism and additional economic activities as viable solutions.
Al-Tamimi emphasized the positive impacts of sustainable ecotourism on protected areas and local communities, stating that it meets travelers' desires while generating revenue, creating jobs, and promoting economic prosperity.
Dr. Stuart Williams, an advisor to the Protected Areas Directorate of the National Center for Wildlife, emphasizes the importance of a long-term perspective.
He argues that ensuring the well-being and happiness of the population will lead to significant returns on every riyal (Saudi Riyal) invested.
The development of AlUla's protected areas will focus on regenerating and protecting its cultural landscape and improving quality of life for its communities and visitors.
AlUla's community development aims to foster a vibrant and prosperous future through world-class education, job opportunities, business incubators, and quality of life improvements.
Nature and wildlife are key components of AlUla's global destination strategy, alongside tourism, heritage, art and culture, economic and social development, spatial development, enabling services, and institutional excellence.
Dr. Talal Al-Harigi, CEO of the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve, and Nada Al-Tamimi, assistant deputy of national affairs at the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, discussed the importance of transitioning conservation and protected areas from cost centers to profit generators.
Al-Harigi suggested using ecotourism and additional economic activities as viable solutions.
Al-Tamimi emphasized the positive impacts of sustainable ecotourism on protected areas and local communities, stating that it meets travelers' desires while generating revenue, creating jobs, and promoting economic prosperity.
Dr. Stuart Williams, an advisor to the Protected Areas Directorate of the National Center for Wildlife, emphasizes the importance of a long-term perspective.
He argues that ensuring the well-being and happiness of the population will lead to significant returns on every riyal (Saudi Riyal) invested.
Translation:
Translated by AI
