“Desert city saudi site in headwinds”
“The over 2000-year-old desert town in Al-Ula is being prepared to become the jewel in the crown when saudi Arabia is trying to venture into in the tourism industry. But its internationally tarnished reputation can put a spanner in the works for the crown prince Mohammed bin Salmans plans to find new revenue in oljekrisens track.”
“Al-Ula in northwestern saudi Arabia, with the country’s first world heritage site Madain Saleh, has so far lived a dormant life with archaeologists and local tourists as virtually the only visitors. But it wants saudi Arabia to change in the bet on tourism that is a part of the country’s plan to reduce dependence on oil.”
“the Goal is to attract eco-tourists and cultural visitors from the west and the countries around the Persian gulf, in addition to saudis who want to learn about the country’s history, before islamisation.”
“In the plans included tourist accommodation, training of guides, and a thorough archaeological survey of the area with its burial chamber and a spectacular stone façades. A winter festival with artists constitute a soft start in the tourism investments, reports The Washington Post.”
” We have always known that we have an important historic site here. But no one knows us, ” says the wizard Ahman al-Imam to the newspaper.”
“the Hope is 2 500 new jobs and a boost to international student mobility, according to the royal committee that is behind the project, reports the saudi Arab News.”
“The conservatives the country’s visitors have in the past primarily comprised of religious pilgrims or business travelers. But the process of getting a visa system for tourists on site is stated to last – so far, they have visa issued mainly been linked to specific events. But the recent criticism can make it difficult to attract tourists to the extent that the crown prince hoped for.”
“– Tourism has great potential in the country because it is so underdeveloped. But there are social obstacles and concerns to overcome in order to attract foreigners. The arrest of women’s rights activists and the brutal murder of a famous journalist is no help, ” says Kristin Smith Diwan on the Arab Gulf States Institute to The Washington Post.”
“A bet on tourism is included in the reform programme, Vision 2030, which was launched in april 2016. As part of the crown prince Mohammed bin Salmans quest to make the country less dependent on revenue from oil, the plan is to begin issuing visas to tourists.”
“In december last year, reported the news agency Reuters that around 1 000 people from 80 countries have received a visa to visit a specific event. But the idea according to the Vision 2030 is to increase the number of visitors to 30 million by 2030, from around 18 million visitors in 2016, of which most of the religious pilgrims or business travelers.”
“in Order to attract tourists, the country has plans on including several high end resorts along the Red sea beaches. At the end of the year was launched a bet on international tourism in the desert town of Al-Ula, Madain Saleh and its sandstensklippor with inscriptions and hundreds of burial chamber.”
