Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Soudah Development Company, on Monday, launched the general plan for the project to develop Al-Soudah and parts of Rijal Alma (southwestern Saudi Arabia) under the name “Peaks of Al-Soudah”, which aims to develop A new global tourist destination in a mountainous environment on the highest peak in Saudi Arabia, at an altitude of 3,015 meters above sea level.
This destination is located in a unique natural and cultural environment in the Asir region, southwest of the Kingdom, in line with the efforts of the Public Investment Fund in empowering promising vital sectors and supporting the Asir development strategy, Qimam Wasim.
The Crown Prince stressed that Al Soudah Peaks will reflect the new face of luxury mountain tourism by providing an unprecedented living experience, and that the project will contribute to achieving the goals of “Vision 2030”, developing the tourism and entertainment sector, and supporting economic growth by contributing to increasing the cumulative gross domestic product by more. From 29 billion riyals ($7.7 billion), providing thousands of jobs directly and indirectly.
Diversify sources of income
Prince Mohammed bin Salman said: “The general plan confirms our endeavor to activate global efforts to preserve the environment and natural and heritage resources and preserve them for future generations, in a way that contributes to diversifying sources of income and building an economy attractive to international and local investments.”
He added that the project will make a qualitative addition to the tourism sector and highlight the cultural aspect of the Kingdom, and contribute to making the country a global tourist destination. The world will have the opportunity to explore the beauty of the Al-Soudah peaks, learn about its unique heritage, authentic culture, and hospitable society, and have unforgettable experiences in the arms of nature and aboard the clouds.
the amazing nature
For their part, experts told Asharq Al-Awsat that the new project enhances sustainability and eco-tourism in the country, in addition to its contribution to attracting foreign capital and generating more quality jobs.
Experts believe that there are great opportunities for the Saudi private sector to enter into the new project, in addition to other projects and expand business to become a partner of the state at the current stage.
Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the National Tourism Committee of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, Nayef Al-Rajhi, explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that the “Soudah Peaks” project enhances sustainability and eco-tourism in the Kingdom, and is an investment in the future with a rich heritage and a tourist site that inspires. the world.
He expected that the project would compete with international tourist destinations while preserving the region’s distinctive architectural identity, which would contribute to achieving the goals of the “Kingdom’s Vision” to attract 100 million visitors by 2030.
The Vice President of the Riyadh Chamber pointed out that the project strengthens the tourism sector in the Asir region, creates more job opportunities for citizens, and increases the local economy.
He continued that the Al-Souda area is characterized by its picturesque nature and provides visitors with a unique experience of exploring the highest mountain peak in the country, explaining at the same time that the new project raises the quality of hotels, restaurants, cafes and all entertainment facilities.
Attracting capital
The head of the National Tourism Committee at the Federation of Saudi Chambers continued that Al-Souda is one of the attractive areas for foreign tourists. Due to its distinctive winter weather and stunning views, in addition to the wide agricultural areas that characterize the Asir Mountains.
Al-Rajhi stressed that the “Qimmat Al-Soudah” project enhances the status of the southern region to become attractive to visitors, which is reflected in investments and attracting foreign capital, explaining that the local private sector has valuable opportunities to enter into projects and entertainment facilities in Asir to exploit the large volume of visitors in the coming period.
Job creation
For his part, Nasser Al-Ghaylan, the founder of the “Duyane” Tourism Investment Group, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the project follows several well-studied qualitative projects launched by the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, to advance the tourism sector in the Kingdom, indicating that the development of Al-Souda It will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
Al-Ghailan stated that “Qimam Al-Soudah” will generate many qualitative jobs that depend on skilled and high-quality competencies, in addition to indirect jobs through contracting companies and service providers for the project, which will be reflected in the Saudi GDP.
He explained that developing the highest mountain peak in Saudi Arabia with a qualitative project that raises the quality of life, in an advanced step to previous steps that reveal the features of the Crown Prince’s speech, previously, “that the Middle East region will be the next Europe,” and this is what is observed through the recent moves to build giant projects.
It will reflect the new face of luxury mountain tourism by providing an unprecedented living experience (Middle East)
The project will provide luxury hospitality services to two million visitors throughout the year, and the general plan relies in its designs on the local urban identity, as it includes 6 main areas located in distinct locations, namely: “Tahlaal, Sahab, Sabra, Green, Rijal, and Al-Sakhrah Al-Hamra,” with diverse facilities. Among the luxury hotels and mountain resorts, palaces and residential units with captivating views and luxury stores, in addition to entertainment, sports and cultural attractions.
Project stages
2,700 hotel rooms, 1,336 residential units, and 80,000 square meters of commercial space will be developed by 2033.
The general plan for Qimam Al Soudah consists of 3 main phases, and the first phase is expected to be completed in 2027. The first includes the development of 940 hotel rooms, 391 residential units, and 32,000 square meters of commercial space.
“Al Soudah Peaks” is located on a large area of forests and mountains that extend over more than 627 square kilometers, with a building area not exceeding 1 percent of it, which reflects the “Al Soudah Development Company’s” commitment to protecting the environment, applying sustainability standards, and preserving and developing natural resources in the project area. This supports the efforts of the Saudi Green Initiative.
It is worth noting that “Al Souda Development” is one of the “Public Investment Fund” companies, and it aims to develop a distinguished mountainous tourist destination, and preserve the natural environment and human cultural heritage in the project area.
2023-09-26 06:18:39
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