Tag Archives: Royal Commission for AlUla

Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) announced the completion of the second phase of AlUla’s airport development project, a key component of its strategy to position the city as a major tourism destination and logistics hub. Encompassing the renovation of the airport’s main terminal building and the expansion of the apron to add 6 Code C and larger 4 Code E Aircraft Stands – an additional 150,000 metre square of taxiways with 2 additional connections to the runway – the second phase of the development project increases the airport’s annual capacity from 100,000 to 400,000 passengers. The completed Airside Works (Aprons & Taxiways) can facilitate the 15,000 aircraft movements per year required to serve the over 2,000,000 visitors to AlUla in 2035 and beyond. The development project also included the construction of a VIP lounge terminal, built using local materials and reflecting the picturesque AlUla environment, its rich heritage and includes a range of other amenities to improve passenger experience. The completion of the second phase of the airport development project is in line with RCU’s aim to continue reopen the area in readiness to receive visitors in October. Adil Jamil, Head of Infrastructure Development and Asset Management, RCU commented, “Vital infrastructure projects such as this provide the foundations for RCU’s sustainable growth strategy. The airport is continuing to create a range of employment opportunities for local residents as it emerges as a logistical hub catering to the northwest of the Kingdom.” In cooperation with Saudi Arabian Airlines, the Royal Commission for AlUla has also facilitated the resumption of flights from Riyadh to AlUla. Four flights currently run each week and it is expected that flights to AlUla from Jeddah and …

AlUla is all set to reopen in October 2020 for the visitors, to experience some of the undiscovered wonders of the world. An open-air museum in North West of Saudi Arabia, which includes the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, will officially re-open and welcome visitors. While some attendees of AlUa’s Winter at Tantora annual arts festival have been granted access to the archaeological sites in the event’s first two years, now for the first time, AlUla’s landmarks of unprecedented historical and cultural significance and its 250,000 years of human legacy are going to be accessible for all visitors all year round. Phillip Jones, Chief Destination Officer, RCU said, “With the rebound of the travel sector undoubtedly starting close to home, KSA residents within a drive or a short flight of AlUla will get a head start on experiencing the raw, natural beauty and monumentality of landscapes in their backyard,” said Jones. The four key heritage sites that visitors will now be able to access are, Hegra, an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008; Dadan, probably one of the most developed 1st millennium BCE cities of the Arabian Peninsula; Jabal Ikmah, often referred to as the ‘Lihyanite library’, offering insights to ancient beliefs, rituals and practices of every-day life; and Old Town, the ancient walled city of AlUla which has been at the crossroad of civilisations from the twelfth century CE. “We are developing immersive, light-touch experiences that harness the power and silence of the landscapes, experiences like guided stargazing in a desert night sky that has inspired science, religion, philosophy, art and literature for millennia. A visit to AlUla is a transformative experience to all who have visited. Its …

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) gave a global audience of over 2500 industry leaders and stakeholders insight into AlUla’s journey to become an international tourism destination with arts, culture and community at its heart, in a virtual conference. The panel, titled ‘Arts and Culture: Inspiring a future of tourism development in ancient landscapes,’ saw a team from RCU join former Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova; Jean-François Charnier, Scientific Director at AgenceFrançaise pour le Développementd’AlUla (AFALULA); Neville Wakefield, Creator and Artistic Director at Desert X; and Callum Lee of BOP Consulting. During the panel, Abdulrahman AlSuhaibani, Director of Museums and Exhibitions at RCU, who conducted research into AlUla’s ancient civilisations as part of his doctorate at the Sorbonne University in France, said, “The human presence in AlUla began more than 200,000 years ago and continues until our time. This has left a diversity and richness in the archaeological remains, and also in the community today. There is a huge story that we are going to share with the world, but the most important thing is how we can preserve and protect it.” Nora AlDabal, Arts and Culture Programming Director at RCU, said, “It’s really important to us to establish AlUla as a cultural hub for creativity and artistic exchange. We’ve developed multiple arts workshops, including with Desert X: We had the artists work not only on the exhibition itself but also within the community.” Neville Wakefield, Curator, Desert X supported this, saying, “Indeed, one of the joys of working in AlUla was making the community part of the artistic experience. We had so much involvement because everyone had a point of entry. Everyone has a sense of what the desert …

The CEO of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) Amr AlMadani joined fellow hospitality leaders this week to discuss the future of the industry in the Hospitality Tomorrow virtual forum, hosted by Bench Global Events and watched by a global audience of thousands. The talk was co-hosted by Anita Mendiratta, Special Advisor to the Secretary General at the United Nations World Trade Organisation and member of RCU’s Advisory Board, under the title ‘Legacy, Sustaining Growth through Adversity’. Amr AlMadani, CEO, RCU began by highlighting resilience and innovation as key to the industry’s growth, emphasising that travel in the future will be driven by a desire for deeper, transformative experiences founded in a strong sense of community. As an example, AlMadani noted that AlUla had 250,000 years of history, amid an authentic Arabian landscape, with its own community creatively engaged in its tourism industry. Expanding on the theme of growth, AlMadani emphasised that AlUla remained open to investment, and argued that the future growth of the wider industry is dependent on lowering barriers to investment to fuel innovation. In this regard, he noted that RCU was taking an open-minded approach to current challenges but also that RCU was still signing contracts and remained committed to its partners. Amr AlMadani said, “In RCU, we are banking on a strong recovery for the industry, but one that will newly focus on offering people deeper, more experiential and transformative tourism options – rather than simply a photograph. In AlUla, we have 250,000 years of history for visitors to experience a true, unique locality of Arabian and world heritage, supported by creativity and innovation in our community, projects, and our partners.” Anita Mendiratta said, “Legacy  …

The Royal Commission for AlUla announced that Seera Group, the region’s leading provider of travel and tourism services, has been appointed as the key Destination Management Company (DMC) for the second season of ‘Winter at Tantora’, a timeless festival in AlUla, a cultural and historical destination that is home to Saudia Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site. Set in the natural beauty of AlUla, last year’s inaugural Winter at Tantora was a success, welcoming high-profile guests from around the world and hosting 37,000 visitors from 72 countries. The second edition of the festival will be held from December 19, 2019, to March 7, 2020, offering additional weekends for visitors to enjoy cultural programming, equine events and celebrity performances by some of the world’s greatest musicians. Seera Group will highlight the destination through its dedicated campaign to promote Winter at Tantora, which is expected to welcome over 40,000 people through the weekend programmes. The Royal Commission for AlUla aims to attract two million visitors to AlUla by 2035. Amr AlMadani, Chief Executive Officer at the Royal Commission for AlUla, said, “This partnership will provide an opportunity for us to share AlUla’s spectacular treasures, including Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO heritage site, Hegra, with guests from around the world.” Abdullah Aldawood, CEO of Seera Group, said, “Choosing us as a DMC for the event underlines our competencies in offering tailored solutions for international and Saudi-based visitors – covering all aspects of their journey. In addition to working with our global offices and affiliates, we will promote Winter at Tantora through our outlets at all key airports in the Kingdom.”

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has announced a partnership with the world’s leading hotel and resort brand, Aman, who will develop their first three properties in AlUla. The partnership agreement was signed by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture, the Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla, His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammad bin Farhan Al Saud, and Chairman and CEO of Aman, Vladislav Doronin, marking the brand’s first entry to Saudi Arabia and the region. Under the terms of a Technical Services Agreement, Aman will develop three distinct luxury resorts of architectural excellence including a tented camp, a resort near AlUla’s spectacular heritage areas and a third development as a desert ranch-style resort. Detailed design work on all three properties is scheduled to commence in the coming months with a development timeline that will welcome the first guests in 2023. Commenting on the agreement, His Highness Prince Badr, said, “The decision by Aman to open its first resorts in the Middle East in AlUla shows the promise and progress of the vision for AlUla to become a worldwide destination for those seeking unique experiences.” RCU and Aman have also signed a partnership to design, manage and brand the destinations as Aman, offering the refined Aman guest experience that goes beyond any expectation. Doronin welcomed the new partnership and said, “Many of our existing Aman destinations are located in areas of outstanding natural beauty and rich history. With the addition of spectacular AlUla, this takes us to ten properties situated near or in UNESCO heritage sites, making it a fitting location for our first destination in the Middle East.”