Saudi Pocket Guide

Out of the desert shadows: Saudi Arabia is handing out tourist visas in a bid to change its image. The Mail was the first in the queue - for an enthralling Arabian adventure

● The Saudis are allowing the citizens of 49 countries to obtain instant tourist e-visas in a bid to boost tourism
● Under new rules unmarried Western couples can now share hotel rooms while on holiday in the country
● Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman hopes by 2030 there will be 30 million of us visiting Saudi Arabi >>
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Saudi Arabia’s Ancient Oasis Takes Shape Saudi Arabia is preserving AlUla for future generations.

Site from Saudi Arabia inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List

The new World Heritage sites, in order of inscription, are:

Al-Ahsa Oasis, an Evolving Cultural Landscape (Saudi Arabia) – In the eastern Arabian Peninsula, the Al-Ahsa Oasis is a serial property comprising gardens, canals, springs, wells, a drainage lake, as well as historical buildings, urban fabric and archaeological sites. They represent traces of continued human settlement in the Gulf region from the Neolithic to the present, as can be seen from remaining historic fortresses, mosques, wells, canals and other water management systems. With its 2.5 million date palms, it is the largest oasis in the world. Al-Ahsa is also a unique geocultural landscape and an exceptional example of human interaction with the environment.
image via unesco website

Is Saudi Arabia the next big heritage tourism destination?

A massive survey in a remote part of the desert kingdom reveals archaeological wonders, including huge, mysterious structures that are baffling experts

Leaning out of a helicopter's open door, 500 feet above the ground, David Kennedy is treated to bird's eye views of immense sand dunes and lava fields strewn with giant black domes and boulders. Among these natural wonders are mysterious triangular constructions, a beautifully preserved ghost town and elaborate ancient tombs -- the archaeological treasures which Saudi Arabia hopes will earn it a place on the heritage tourism map. >>
https://tinyurl.com/y7kd4vsc

ATM 2018: Saudi tourism set to outpace regional champions

Recent reforms in Saudi Arabia, not to mention widespread investment in the kingdom’s burgeoning tourism industry, will drive growth in the hospitality market of 13.5 per cent compound annual growth rate, according to a new report.

That is higher than the established markets in the UAE (10.1 per cent) and Oman (11.8 per cent).

The figures come from fresh research issued ahead of Arabian Travel Market 2018.

Commenting on the findings of the report, Simon Press, senior exhibition director, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Following recent reforms and the relaxation of visa regulations, Saudi Arabia is poised to capitalise on these factors as it nurtures a vibrant leisure and entertainment sector, supported by a new generation of hotels.”

Saudi Arabia is expected to see a vast expansion of its hotel and resort inventory, along with a steep increase in airport passengers, as crown prince Mohamed bin Salman continues to drive economic and social reforms, including direct investment in tourism.

The study produced by ATM’s research partner Colliers, found that religious tourism in the kingdom is still driving demand, with 30,000 rooms opened during 2017, with a further 40,020 guestrooms in 89 projects currently under construction – compared to 35,050 rooms in the UAE.

Last year, Saudi Arabia set the stage for this to expand to leisure tourism, as it pursues targets of 30 million visitors annually by 2030.

As a result, 2018 will see the first tourism visas granted to international travellers and, for the first time, women aged 25 and older will now be able to obtain a single entry, 30-day tourist visa without a male chaperone.

The kingdom has announced a series of leisure projects in recent months, including the creation of a Six Flags theme park in Riyadh by 2021 and a Red Sea resort built on 100 miles of sandy coastline and backed by investment from Virgin Group founder Richard Branson.

Featuring hotels, residences and a transport hub, the project will create 35,000 jobs, adding SAR15 billion to the economy.

In 2017, 1,671 visitors from Saudi Arabia attended the ATM event, a 14 per cent year-on-year increase compared with the 1,471 who visited in 2016.

The report, forecasts that five-year air passenger numbers will increase eight per cent at King Khalid International Airport Riyadh and six per cent at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah.

Press added: “These higher visitor arrivals will support jobs, investment opportunities and economic diversification, in line with the kingdom’s plans for its future.

“In terms of regional tourism, these are game changing developments, completely unprecedented, and something few expected.”
source: BREAKING TRAVEL NEWS

Archaeologists have discovered a number of life-size camel carvings in the middle of a Saudi Arabian desert.
A Saudi-Franco team of researchers explored what has become known as “Camel site” in the province of Al Jawf in north-west Saudi Arabia.

2,000-year-old life-size camel carvings found in Saudi Arabia Archaeologists have discovered a number of life-size camel carvings in the middle of a Saudi Arabian desert. A Saudi-Franco team of researchers explored what has become known as “Camel site” in the province of Al Jawf in north-west Saudi Arabia.

“The forts in the south of Taif are known to be the biggest buildings not only for residence. They were built by a group of skilled constructors to protect residents from any interior or exterior assault.” >>

Historic Taif fortresses were built to last JEDDAH: Taif city is rich with antique fortresses and castles that have withstood the test of time over many historical periods. These fortresses and castles, considered very interesting touristic landmarks, have always attracted visitors. The architecture of these castles and fortresses relied on d...

Al-Dir’iya portrays history in the heart of the capital

The historic city of Al-Dir’iya remains a center of attraction in Riyadh, where foreign VIPs, including US President Donald Trump and other heads of state, are taken to view this ancient capital of the Kingdom.
The founding of the present city began with the arrival of Mani Al-Meredi, an ancestor of the Saudi royal family, in 850 AH/1446 CE. In a short time, Al-Dir’iya became an important station along the trade roads linking the Arabian Peninsula from west to east, in addition to being a way station along the pilgrimage route to Makkah.
Al-Dir’iya emerged as the capital of the first Saudi State, constituting a turning point in the history of the Arabian Peninsula, when young Al-Imam Mohammed bin Saud supported the call of the religious scholar and reformer Mohammed bin Abdul Wahab in 1157 AH/1744CE. It remained the capital of the First Saudi State until Imam Turki bin Abdullah shifted the new headquarters of his government to Riyadh in 1240 AH/1824 CE. >>
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