Although the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has just recently begun its tourist journey, it is going big. More than greater.
It is so large, in fact, that the nation is concentrating its efforts on what it is referring to as “giga-projects,” constructions that are an important component of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan to build new economic ecosystems and promote diversification.
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Before 2030, Saudi Arabia hopes to host 100 million tourists annually, a lofty objective given that the nation only began to accept travelers with electronic visas in 2019.
In order to attract these tourists, futuristic and occasionally divisive new destinations are popping up all over the Kingdom. These include the Nabataean tombs in AlUla and the oasis towns of Khaybar and Tayma, as well as NEOM, with its 170-kilometer-long car-free mirrored city The Line and winter sports resort of Trojena.
Another giga-project on the outskirts of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, intends to draw 27 million of those tourists each year to a 14-square-kilometer zone comprising historical and cultural landmarks.
At-Turaif, the site of the First Saudi Kingdom founded in 1727, and Diriyah, the ancestral seat of the Al Saud dynasty, are both located in Diriyah, which is regarded as the origin of the country.
For modern Saudi Arabia, both historically and culturally, Diriyah is of utmost importance. The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan places a lot of emphasis on this gigaproject, thus it must succeed.
a price tag in the billions
To carry out this duty is Jerry Inzerillo, group CEO of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority. His team is working to establish Diriyah as a flagship project of Vision 2030, offering “unparalleled cultural experiences for visitors and promoting economic prosperity for the Kingdom.” He has five decades of experience in the hospitality industry.
“We are dedicated to protecting and promoting the history and culture of the city, and we look forward to inviting tourists from all over the world to behold its beauty and contribute to the legacy it represents,” he claims.
It costs money to create destinations.
According to Inzerillo, Diriyah is “one of the greatest and most difficult projects in the world,” costing $63.2 billion. However, what can guests do there once they arrive?
The At-Turaif World Heritage Site, which features relics of the city walls, royal palaces, and mosques, as well as new galleries and museums that chronicle Diriyah’s history, was one of the first sections of the master plan to open at the end of 2022.
Bujairi Terrace is located directly across the street and is home to a number of dining establishments constructed in the region’s traditional Najdi mud-brick architectural style. These establishments include both domestic concepts offering high-end Saudi cuisine and foreign eateries like Angelina, COVA, and Sarabeth’s.
Nevertheless, Diriyah’s intentions go much further than just a couple of eateries and museums.
According to Inzerillo, “We will be deploying new assets every year until 2030, and we have a dynamic masterplan that changes to ensure we stay on pace.” Our objective is to create a premier cultural center in the middle of the country.
lights and music
In addition to six museums, 26 cultural attractions, more than 400 luxury and lifestyle stores, more than 100 souqs and bazaars, and about 38 new hotels and resorts will open in Diriyah. These include establishments by renowned hotel chains like Ritz-Carlton, Park Hyatt, and Raffles.
With tens of thousands of trees and 2.6 square kilometers of trails and pathways for walking, bicycling, and riding horses, six parks will cover the area.
The destination’s events schedule is already jam-packed and will be a significant focus. A series of high-energy events, including the Diriyah Formula E race in January and performances by John Legend, French Montana, and Martin Garrix, comprised the Diriyah Season 2022, which began in October and went until February 22, 2023.
As part of Diriyah Nights, the palm groves of Diriyah are being transformed with immersive light installations by international and Saudi artists, such as Masamichi Shimada and Balqis AlRashed, and the residents of the capital are being drawn to Arabic music concerts, pop-up restaurants, and shisha lounges.
Parkour, skateboarding, breakdancing, and the 2023 BMX Freestyle World Cup were all part of the Diriyah Urban Festival, which took place from February 10–11 and 15–18.
Diriyah is on course to transform Riyadh’s appearance in its entirety. In addition to giving visitors more reasons to come, the new infrastructure being put in place—smart city initiatives, pedestrianized districts, increased usage of public transportation, and a new metro connection—will feel refreshingly different in comparison to Riyadh’s infamously congested traffic.
It is anticipated that 100,000 people will move into Diriyah’s new residential districts.
The heritage sites of At-Turaif are brought to life for visitors by a group of 30 enthusiastic young Saudi guides who take them through galleries that track Diriyah’s history and delve into topics including equestrian culture, traditional architecture, currency, and trade.
It’s possible that visitors will encounter royalty while visiting the place. Princess Al-Jawhara Abdulmohsin Al-Saud, who is 30 years old and from the Al-Saud family, whose ancestral house this is, is one of the tour guides.
A high bar
The princess told CNN that it was a trip to At-Turaif with her family that inspired her to join the nation’s booming tourist industry. She serves as a tour guide for the At-Turaif experience team, leading guests through exhibits on the early imams who had a significant impact on the development of modern Saudi Arabia.
She stated in an email, “I understood that I wanted to contribute to the preservation and dissemination of this cultural treasure. “I applied to the Diriyah Company and was delighted to be granted the chance to help bring At-history Turaif’s to life for people from all around the world,” the applicant said.
The position is much more important to her because of her familial heritage. Being a tour guide for tourists in Diriyah as a member of the House of Saud is a very important and humble experience. I have the honor of bringing their tales to life so that everyone can enjoy and benefit.
There are strong expectations that Diriyah would entice tourists who are equally interested in the kingdom’s rich cultural history and its ambitious, futuristic development plans.
Inzerillo is convinced that it will happen since Diriyah provides both Saudis and tourists a lot, offering both groups of people a chance to learn about Saudi Arabian culture, history, and traditions.
For the people, it’s a chance to commemorate and reacquaint themselves with the rich history and culture they have inherited, he claims.
Visitors get the opportunity to tour the At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage Site, get a taste of the local culture, and learn about the city’s historic architecture and natural splendor.
