With the aim of reviving and rehabilitating the main archaeological area in Al-Ula and turning it into a leading global destination for arts, heritage, culture and nature

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Royal Commission for Al-Ula Governorate, launched the design vision for the "Journey Through Time" scheme, with the aim of responsible and sustainable revitalization and rehabilitation of the main archaeological area in Al-Ula, in a unique cultural and natural environment. In the northwest of the Kingdom, where the project is a major stop within the program to develop Al-Ula and turn it into a leading global destination for arts, heritage, culture and nature, in order to achieve the goals of the Kingdom's 2030 vision.

The "Journey Through Time" scheme, which is led by His Highness the Crown Prince, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Royal Commission for Al-Ula Governorate, and the follow-up of His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Governor of the Royal Commission for Al-Ula Governorate, consists of 3 main stages, and the first stages are scheduled to be completed By the end of the year 2023 AD, God willing.

The "Journey Through Time" scheme is part of a comprehensive development program for Al-Ula supervised by the Royal Commission for Al-Ula Governorate. The development strategy, upon completion in 2035, aims to provide 38,000 new job opportunities, in addition to contributing 120 billion riyals to the Kingdom's gross domestic product.

The "Journey Through Time" plan provides a distinctive historical map of the civilizations that settled in the various oases of Al-Ula over more than 7,000 years of human history, by investing in the heritage, cultural and natural and geological richness of the region, through the participation of its distinguished community in the development process to preserve AlUla's legacy, and draw the future through Open new chapters to discover its undiscovered history, and build a future legacy to be proud of.

Through this scheme inspired by the nature and heritage of Al-Ula, five centers will be established extending 20 kilometers from the heart of Al-Ula, at inspiring and essential stops along the “Journey through Time” route, and these centers start from the old town center to the south, through the Dadan Oasis Center. The oasis of Jabal Ikma, the Nabatean oasis, and the ancient city of Hajar in the north.

Each of these centers is a cultural landmark in its own right, and uniquely reflects the nature and terrain that is unique to this geographical region, as this spatial design of distinct cultural centers and facilities has been adopted to provide a unique experience for visitors to explore the ancient history of the region.

Within these centers, 15 new cultural facilities will be established, including museums, galleries and attractions, as major landmarks for each center, with the addition of more than 5,000 rooms for accommodation and living, and each center will offer its own mix of living and hospitality options that offer multiple options. From hotels and ecotourism resorts to luxury lodges and valley farms carved into the mountain rocks.

Perhaps one of the most prominent projects of the "Journey through Time" scheme is the Kingdoms Institute, which is a global center for studies of civilizations that inhabited the northwestern Arabian Peninsula over more than 7,000 years of human history, including the ancient Arab kingdoms of Dadan, Lahyan and Nabateans in the ancient city of Hajar, It is one of the sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The "Journey Through Time" scheme provides authentic tourism experiences full of details of the heritage and natural diversity of Al-Ula's residents and visitors through sustainable mobility solutions and concepts that aim to reduce road congestion, reduce the level of noise, effectively employ sustainable and electric energy, and strengthen the network linking centers, neighborhoods, heritage sites and sites. Tourism, offering diverse and interesting experiences and transportation options that celebrate the beauty of nature and heritage in AlUla.

In recognition of Al-Ula's status as a crossroads and communication center for northwestern Arabia, the Al-Ula Tourist Train will connect Al-Ula International Airport with the five hubs.

The “Journey through Time” scheme constitutes a national investment in the community of Al-Ula through the commission’s commitment to support and enable community participation. The plan includes providing community services, new facilities, public spaces, and a range of cultural and educational facilities, thus achieving a cultural economy for Al-Ula, improving the lifestyle of the individual and the family, and enhancing Belonging and pride to the people and residents of Al-Ula, as the plan will contribute to the revival and rehabilitation of the cultural oasis, and the sustainable development of its agricultural community, as a commitment to developing the agricultural sector in the governorate.

While the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia renews its commitment to preserving and preserving world heritage, the "Journey Through Time" plan was based on extensive scientific studies on human patterns and environmental and geological development in Al-Ula, which was supervised by a team of Saudi and international experts over a period of three years, and it seeks to achieve the concept of coexistence. With nature and celebrating the cultural and historical heritage of the province.

As a result, the revitalization and rehabilitation of Al-Ula's cultural oasis and the promotion of the sustainable development of its community is an integral part of the "Journey through Time" scheme, as a direct response to the challenges of sustainable and responsible development of a threatened natural environment.

The Kingdoms Institute project and the project to revitalize and rehabilitate the Al-Ula Cultural Oasis reflect the commitment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to provide an example to follow in protecting and preserving the world's cultural and natural heritage, by relying on solid policies for developing natural areas, sustainable agricultural production, improving water management, in addition to promoting the principles of a circular economy. In the plan, 80% of the total area of ​​Al-Ula will also be allocated as nature reserves to restore plants and restore natural systems, including preserving and resettling wild animals and protecting their natural habitats.

In harmony with the "Green Saudi" initiative, the Al-Ula development program relies on a strategy to rehabilitate and revive the oases, through the implementation of the Cultural Oasis project within the "Journey through Time" scheme, and the rehabilitation of 10 million square meters of green spaces, thus contributing to an increase in the natural vegetation cover. , And enhances the safety of the local environment, and is fully in line with the Kingdom's ambition to reduce carbon emissions by 60%, plant 10 million trees and increase green areas by 12 times over the coming years.

The scheme will contribute to this by welcoming two million visitors annually and promoting agriculture, arts and culture as major economic sectors as well as the tourism sector. As part of this development, the Royal Commission for Al-Ula Governorate and its partners are targeting the establishment of more than 9,000 hotel rooms by 2035. The implementation of the plan will also help provide promising opportunities to encourage partnerships and investments from entities that share the values ​​of sustainability, responsible development and community participation with the Royal Commission for Al-Ula.