The General Authority for Tourism and Antiquities branch in Al-Ahsa has launched the 'Discover Al-Ahsa' program, which seeks to invite citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to tour Al-Ahsa city using organized flights and programs.

Al-Ahsa Airport has now received the first group of 30 tourists from the United Arab Emirates. The tour was organized in collaboration with two flight agents and the Flydubai airline. Ali bin Tahir Al-Haji, director general of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, welcomed the Emirati tourists to their "second home in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" and conveyed the happiness of Al-Ahsa residents over their visit.

Al-Haji hopes that the guests will spend a good amount of time in Al-Ahsa and will explore its natural and historical landmarks, stressing his efforts to strengthen the cooperation of the program with airlines and tour organizers in the region to promote Al-Ahsa as a tourist destination. Al-Haji described Al-Ahsa as the Eastern Gate of the Kingdom for the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

“Gulf countries have identified Al-Ahsa as a shopping destination for decades. We hope that the organized tours will help in uncovering the other sides of the city, too, such as its heritage and recreational sites” Al-Haji said.

He expressed his gratitude to the vice president of the authority, Walid Al-Hamidi, and the vice president of programs and marketing in the authority, Hamad Al-Sheikh, for their support and supervision of the program and their keenness to diversify tourism products in the area.

Abdelmoneim Ali, a tour organizer, explained that the program prepared for the first Emirati tourist group includes a visit to King Abdullah Environmental Park, Al-Qara Mountain, Al-Mushaqqar and Dogha Al-Grash Mountains, Ibrahim Historical Palace, Al-Ahsa Museum, the Country Resort, Een Al-Hara, the “Culture House,” Qaisaria Souq and the Mashaleh Factory.

Al-Ahsa is home to a number of archaeological sites that bear witness to the area's importance, while the number of springs and freshwater sources in Al-Ahasa ranges from 60 to 70, with sites similar to those in Ummsaba'ah, Al-Harrah and Al-Khadod.