https://arab.news/8kygj
- Pacts for Riyadh and Northern Borders sites over 25 years
- Full ecotourism offerings are requirement for developers
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has signed investment contracts covering three national parks across two regions, locking in development partnerships of up to 25 years as the Kingdom doubles down on eco-tourism and environmental sustainability.
The agreements, which span sites in the Riyadh and the Northern Borders regions, are designed to draw in private sector capital to help meet the country's broader environmental targets while putting natural landscapes on the tourism map, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
The largest project involves Arar National Park in the Northern Borders region, a sprawling site of more than 14 million sq. meters. Investors must build a full suite of facilities and services, including operational and production zones, logistics infrastructure, and visitor services, alongside recreational and environmental programming.
In the Riyadh region, the Wuthaylan National Park, covering around 5 million sq. meters, will be developed with an emphasis on its ecological diversity and historical and heritage character. Plans call for fully serviced camps offering tourism and leisure experiences for visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
The third site, Saad National Park, also in the Riyadh region, covers up to 2 million sq. meters and is earmarked for a more adventure-oriented offer blending nature with adventure and thrill-seeking activities.
The development blueprint includes desert and heritage experiences, outdoor sports and adventure programs, and a road services center, all integrated within a broader hospitality framework.
The center said it remains committed to deepening collaboration with government, private, and non-profit sectors, as well as regional and international organizations.
The aim is to forge impactful partnerships in support of its strategic objectives, namely expanding vegetation cover, combating desertification, and promoting eco-tourism across the Kingdom’s diverse landscapes.