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AlUla tourism: $560 daily spend and 3-day stays, RCU senior official shares insights


An average tourist in Saudi Arabia’s heritage town of AlUla spends $560 (SAR 2100) per day and stays for three days on average, a senior member of the Royal Commission of AlUla (RCU) told Al Arabiya English on Friday.

The Vice President of Destination Marketing and Management from the RCU, Rami Almoallim, said there was an increase in the number of tourists visiting the oasis valley, nestled amidst mountains over 1,000 kilometers from the capital city of Riyadh.

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Speaking on the sidelines of the Azimuth music festival, Almoallim said the town seeks to attract local, regional and international travelers, adding that their “main target is the wanderlust nomad, the intrepid voyagers, the free-spirited people and the luxury seekers who come from around the globe.”

After Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched mega tourist projects in 2019 following the setting up of the RCU in 2017, the previously sleepy, primarily local town was pushed into the spotlight.

Tourist sites in AlUla

AlUla is home to the Kingdom’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site Hegra, a site with well-preserved tombs that was once part of the Nabataean city from the end of the first millennium BCE into the first millennium CE.

The city now has an airport serviced by flydubai, connecting the UAE financial hub twice weekly, and domestic flights by Saudia airline and flynas from Riyadh, Jeddah, and Damman. It has various stay options, from luxury wellness resorts like Habitas and Banyan Tree to glamping with 26 North.

“I would foresee four to five days is really good to visit the heritage sites, to have some experiences; for those who love adventure, they can enjoy all activities in these beautiful canyons. For people who love food and beverages, there are some offerings from really distinguished international brands,” Almoallim said when asked about the optimal time to spend in AlUla.

In addition to Hegra, some must-see sights include Maraya, an art installation adorned by massive mirrors; AlUla Old Town, a labyrinth of tightly packed streets towered by hundreds of mudbrick houses and a mighty fort; and Elephant Rock, a natural geological formation in the shape of the mammoth.

Various viewpoints, oasis trails and museums like the Hejaz Railway Station – one of the oldest known rail networks in the Middle East – round up the AlUla sights to see.

A picture taken on January 4, 2019, shows the Hejaz train station near Saudi Arabia's northwestern town of al-Ula, an Ottoman era railway. (AFP)

A picture taken on January 4, 2019, shows the Hejaz train station near Saudi Arabia's northwestern town of al-Ula, an Ottoman era railway. (AFP)

Additionally, star gazing points and activities including hiking, biking and ziplining are available for visitors seeking adventure and nature-oriented experiences.

AlUla airport expansion

To keep up with the increasing yearly influx of tourists, Almoallim said that the purpose-built local airport will expand in size and connectivity. In addition to the seasonal flight from Paris, Cairo is next in line to be added to the roster.

While tourism is a principal driver of AlUla’s economy, in line with Saudi Arabia’s larger plans to wane off its reliance on oil income, Almoallim is confident about the RCU’s ability to preserve the identity and culture of the ancient city.

“Culture and heritage [sit] in the heart of the Royal Commission of AlUla’s mandate,” Almoallim said.
“We have complete departments and sectors that look after how to preserve this, how to showcase it to the world. We build our events and experiences on that rich culture and history of AlUla.”

“We do connect the experiences of AlUla and the people who come and visit AlUla, with the culture. Basically, we find the connection in between the experience,” the RCU official said, giving the Azimuth music festival as an example of connecting arts, culture and music with the oasis valley.

Peggy Gou at the Azimuth music festival in AlUla, Saudi Arabia on September 21, 2023. (Supplied)

Peggy Gou at the Azimuth music festival in AlUla, Saudi Arabia on September 21, 2023. (Supplied)

Titled AlUla Moments, the RCU has planned numerous events including a wellness festival and desert polo to take place until April.

Read more:

Azimuth 2023: Saudi Arabia marks National Day, weekend party in AlUla’s oasis valleys

AlUla Moments features exciting calendar of events with concerts, festivals, sports

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Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

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At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

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US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM

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