Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable tourism with a growing number of eco-friendly holiday destinations, in line with the Vision 2030 strategy to increase annual visitor numbers to 150 million by the end of the decade.

The Kingdom is focusing on creating new vacation resorts and rejuvenating existing sites, while prioritizing environmental preservation and cultural safeguards.

Key projects such as NEOM and the Red Sea Project are being powered by renewable energy, aligning tourism expansion with clean energy goals and reducing carbon emissions.

The Saudi Green Initiative, aiming to plant 10 billion trees and restore millions of hectares of land, further supports these efforts.

Cultural preservation is also a priority, with initiatives like Diriyah Gate and AlUla engaging local communities in heritage conservation and economic development.

This holistic approach aims to protect natural habitats and create long-term economic growth.

Experts note that Saudi Arabia is learning from other global destinations by adopting a unified approach to ecological, social, cultural, and economic development, ensuring tourism grows in a sustainable and integrated manner.

Notable eco-tourism projects include Amaala, a luxury wellness resort powered by renewable energy, and Soudah Development, which plans to restore mountain ecosystems and train locals in eco-tourism.

Eco-tourism is expected to have a significant economic impact, particularly in remote areas, as tourists with a nature-based focus tend to contribute greatly to local economies.

By promoting domestic tourism, Saudi Arabia is also minimizing its carbon footprint, aligning with its environmental goals.

Regenerative tourism, which actively restores natural and cultural sites, is central to Saudi Arabia's vision for sustainable tourism.