Al-Soudah Season

Al-Soudah Season is a tourism season launched by the General Authority for Tourism and National Heritage (currently the Ministry of Tourism) in 2019 in the city of Abha in the Asir Province. It's part of the Saudi Seasons initiative, which also included the Taif Season. Al-Soudah Season showcased tourist, historical, and cultural sites, highlighting the cultural and artistic diversity of the Province.

Al-Soudah hosted the season's activities. It is a mountainous area located within the Sarawat Mountains, northwest of the city of Abha in Asir Province. Its altitude is approximately 3,015 m above sea level, with juniper trees growing in abundance. The area is characterized by its cool weather in the summer, snowfall in winter, and is often covered in fog most of the year.

The main objectives of al-Soudah Season, which was active in the month of August 2019, focused on supporting and diversifying the national economy by emphasizing the tourism sector, improving the quality of life, increasing domestic expenditure, introducing diverse recreational and cultural events, and creating job and investment opportunities for entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Al-Soudah boasts various tourist attractions that appeal to tourists and locals alike throughout the year. Al-Soudah Season leveraged key aspects the province is renowned for, such as its scenic beauty, heritage, culture, adventures, and climate.

During al-Soudah Season, the Misk Arts Program, an initiative of the Mohammed Bin Salman Foundation (Misk), presented a range of activities for all community members. This included an exhibition for artists, training workshops for amateurs and children, short courses tailored for artists, an art exhibition, and a bazaar showcasing the works of artists.

Al-Soudah encompasses various tourist sites, including the Asir National Park, which was inaugurated in 1980. Visitors can engage in a variety of tourist activities such as camping, long-distance walking, and paragliding.

Another notable tourist site in Asir Province is the village of Rijal Alma. Historically known as a station for pilgrims and merchants traveling north to Makkah al-Mukarramah and al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, the village is distinguished by its stacked stone buildings with white windows and carved wooden doors. Additionally, the village houses a historical museum that reflects its rich history.

On February 24, 2021, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the crown prince, prime minister, and chairman of the Public Investment Fund's Board of Directors launched al-Soudah Development Company in Asir Province, with investments estimated at about SAR11 billion. This company is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and aims to develop the project area, which includes al-Soudah and parts of the Rijal Alma Governorate, to be a mountainous tourist destination offering diverse residential and recreational options.

The Soudah Peaks Project is designed within a sustainable environmental framework, characterized by a unique architectural style and natural landscapes that reflect human adaptation to the land through terraced fields, celebrating the cultural richness of the region. The project area covers 627 km2, including Soudah and parts of Rijal Alma. The project comprises six development zones: Sabrah, Tahlal, Sahab, Jareen, Rijal, and Red Rock. The project is estimated to contribute to an increase in the cumulative total of the gross domestic product (GDP) by approximately SAR29 billion by the year 2033.