Al-Ula Development Project

The al-Ula Development Project, one of the Saudi Vision 2030 projects, aims to develop al-Ula, a governorate in Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah Province in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and transform it into an international and cultural tourist destination by preserving its heritage and nature in cooperation with the local community. The project includes several sub-projects, with the most prominent ones being: the international scholarship program, the protection program, the Sharaan resort and its nature reserve, and the Global Fund for the Arabian Leopard.

Al-Ula is home to Hegra, the first Saudi heritage site included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Royal Commission for AlUla is overseeing the development of al-Ula.

It is a program initiated by the Royal Commission for AlUla, aimed at sending a group of young individuals from al-Ula Governorate to international educational institutions in countries such as the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. The program's purpose is to prepare them for active participation in development activities and to equip them with the qualifications required for future employment. These students will pursue diplomas, bachelor's degrees, or postgraduate studies in fields that align with al-Ula's development goals.

It is a program through which the Royal Commission for AlUla works intensively to engage the local community in playing a prominent and effective role in the development projects of al-Ula. The program offers 2,500 opportunities for the residents of al-Ula Governorate to contribute to the protection and preservation of al-Ula's cultural and natural heritage.

A deer herd in Sharaan Reserve in al-Ula. (SPA)

Sharaan Nature Reserve project is one of the Royal Commission for AlUla’s projects to develop al-Ula. Within the Sharaan valley area, a natural reserve has been designated with the aim of restoring ecological balance through the development of vegetation and the reintroduction of purebred species. Additionally, the Royal Commission for AlUla has become a member of the Global Wildcats Conversation Alliance, and it has played a key role in establishing the Global Fund for the Arabian Leopard. This fund is the largest of its kind globally and is dedicated to safeguarding, fostering reproduction, and ensuring the future survival of the Arabian Leopard, working diligently to prevent its extinction.

Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, Sharaan Resort comprises forty hotel units including twenty-five suites, ten luxury pavilions, five villas, a spa, forty luxury residential units, and large spaces equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

It is a global fund established by the Royal Commission for AlUla in the Kingdom with an allocation of USD25 million to enhance the survival of the Arabian leopard. The fund aims to preserve the Arabian leopard and ensure the existence of a sustainable population, providing them with their wild prey and natural habitats, while fostering coexistence with local communities.